'069 


'A. 


PRESBYTBRIANISM     IN 
PERTH   AMBOY,    NEW    JERSEY 


BY 


HARLAN  G.  MENDENHALL 


THE       PERTH     AMBOY     PUBLISHING      COMPANY 

PERTH      AMBOY,      N.      J. 

1903 


Copyright  1903 

II Y 

Harlan  G.  MenrenHall. 


TO 

the  Members  of 

The  Presbyterian  Church, 

perth  amboy,  n.  j., 

WHOSE 

HARMONY,    ZEAL    AND    CONSECRATION 

HAVE    MADE    POSSIBLE 

OUR  NEW  SANCTUARY, 

THIS  VOLUME 

IS 

Dedicated. 


Authorities  consulted  in  the  preparation  of 
this  book:  Wodrow's  History  of  the  Suffer- 
ings of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  Whitehead's 
Contributions  to  the  Early  History  of  Perth 
Amboy,  Smith's  The  Thirteen  Colonies  (G.  P. 
Putnam's  Sons,  Publishers),  Webster's  History 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Presbyterian  His- 
torical Almanac,  and  the  Presbyterian  Histor- 
ical Society. 

The  photographs  of  buildings,  when  not 
otherwise  credited,  were  taken  by  Edward  W. 
Barnes;  we  are  also  indebted  to  W.  R.  Tobias 
for  courtesies  of  a  similar  kind. 


CONTENTS. 


NO     OF 
PAGE 

CHAPTER  I.— BEGINNINGS I 

CHAPTER    II.— THE  FOUNDATION 8 

CHAPTER    III.— MANY    CHANGES 14 

CHAPTER    IV.— DIFFERENCES 23 

CHAPTER    V. — A    LONG    PASTORATE 26 

CHAPTER  VI.—  growth 31 

CHAPTER  VII.— expansion 35 

CHAPTER  VIII.— arise  and  build 45 

ADDENDA 57 


.A 

*D  * 

1802 

THE    OLD    CORNERSTONE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BEGINNINGS. 

7THE  disintegration  of  Cromwell's  Commonwealth  and  the 
restoration  of  the  Stuarts,  in  the  person  of  Charles  II.,  to 
the  throne,  not  only  destroyed  religious  liberty,  but  inaugurated 
bitter  persecution  against  the  Independents  of  England  and  the 
Presbyterians  of  Scotland.  But  the  blood  which  reddened  the 
soil  of  Great  Britain  germinated  the  seed  of  a  larger  hope  in  dis- 
tant lands.  The  intolerance  of  a  state  church  made  possible  the 
political  freedom  of  a  republic;  and  the  men  and  women  who, 
more  than  two  centuries  ago,  sailed  across  the  Atlantic  for  con- 
science sake,  had  heard  God's  voice  as  Abram  heard  it, — Get  thee 
out  of  thy  country,  and  from  thy  kindred,  and  from  thy  father's 
house,  unto  a  land  that  I  will  show  thee;  and  I  will  make  of  thee 
a  great  nation,  and  I  will  bless  thee,  and  make  thy  name  great; 
and  thou  shalt  be  a  blessing. 

The  state  of  New  Jersey,  with  other  sections  of  our  country, 
profited  by  these  emigrations,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  seven- 
teenth century  the  Puritans  had  established  settlements  between 
the  Passaic  and  Raritan  rivers;  while  still  farther  to  the  south, 
with  Shrewsbury  as  the  chief  town,  the  Friends  had  colonized. 
Under  the  wise  and  beneficent  government  of  the  two  proprietors, 
Sir  George  Carteret  and  Lord  Berkeley,  who  guaranteed  religious 
protection,  established  political  equality  and  offered  special  land 
inducements,  the  population  rapidly  increased. 

In  1679  that  part  of  the  state  known  as  East  Jersey  was,  on 
the  death  of  Sir  George  Carteret,  then  the  sole  proprietor,  pur- 
chased by  an  association  of  twelve  men;  two  years  later  the  num- 
ber was  increased  by  the  addition  of  twelve  more  members,  who 
in  their  religious  views  were  largely  Presbyterian   and  (Quaker. 


2  PRESBYTKRIANISM    IX    PERTH    AM  BOY. 

Among  these  proprietors  were  James,  Earl  of  Perth;  Robert 
Barclay,  Robert  Gordon,  William  Penn  and  Gawen  L-awrie. 
These  purchasers  not  only  had  in  view  the  securing  of  an  asylum 
for  the  persecuted  of  their  sects,  but  they  also  desired  to  increase 
their  income  by  the  development  of  their  investment.  To  this 
end  it  was  necessary  to  found  a  city  which  should  outdistance 
New  York  and  at  the  same  time  be  the  capital  of  the  growing 
colony. 

The  proprietors  selected  Amboy  Point  as  in  every  way  suit- 
able for  this  purpose  and  named  it  Perth,  after  the  leading  mem- 
ber of  the  association.  The  first  governor  of  the  province  was 
Philip  Carteret.  In  1681  Robert  Barclay  succeeded  him,  with 
Thomas  Rudyard  as  his  deputy,  both  Friends.  The  second 
deputy  governor  was  Gawen  Lawrie,  a  Scotchman.  Under  his 
euthusiasm  and  influence  the  new  city  on  the  Raritan  was  born 
and  his  inauguration  saw  it  as  the  metropolis  of  the  New  World. 
Indeed,  in  one  of  his  letters  to  his  associates  he  wrote: 

"  Now  is  the  time  to  send  over  people  for  settling  here. 
The  Scots  and  William  Dockwra's  people,  coming  now  and  set- 
tling, advance  the  Province  more  than  it  hath  been  advanced 
these  ten  years.      Here  wants  nothing  but  people.'* 

In  the  meantime,  while  these  plans  were  being  carried  for- 
ward, unlooked-for  events  in  England  were  shaping  the  destinies 
of  America.  Jame^  II  became  king,  and  persecutions,  increasing 
in  their  fury,  made  life  and  liberty  impossible  to  the  Presby- 
terians. New  settlers  sought  these  shores,  not  willingly,  but  to 
escape  torture  and  death.  Among  the  number  was  Lord  Neill 
Campbell,  whose  life  was  threatened  and  whose  brother,  the 
Marquis  of  Argyle,  had  been  beheaded.  He  brought  with  him 
more  than  fifty  persons,  and  on  his  arrival  was  appointed  deputy 
governor.  ' '  Rich  men  came  over  to  occupy  their  own  estates 
with  large  families,  servants  and  tenants.  Poor  men  joined  the 
stream  to  take  up  the  new  life  on  any  terms  they  could  make. ' '  * 

On  September  5,  1685,  a  body  of  refugees  set  sail  from  Leith, 
Scotland,  whose  heroism,  loyalty  to  truth  and   lofty  purpose  are 


♦Smith's  Tin-  Thirteen  Colonies. 


BEGINNINGS.  3 

equaled  only  by  that  Puritan  expedition  which  sixty-five  years 
earlier  consecrated  Plymouth  Rock  to  God  and  freedom.  George 
Scot,  laird  of  Pitlochie,  had  charge  of  the  company  of  almost  two 
hundred  souls.  Within  ten  years  he  had  been  thrice  imprisoned 
and  fined  for  attending  services  of  the  proscribed  faith.  He  was 
finally  released  on  condition  that  he  "go  to  the  plantations. ' ' 
Many  of  his  friends  sought  release  from  the  same  intolerable  bur- 
dens and  in  the  same  way.  Others  were  ordered  "  to  be  trans- 
ported to  his  Majesty's  plantations  in  East  New  Jersey  in  the 
ship  lying  in  the  road  of  Leith,  now  bounding  thither.  *  *  * 
At  L,eith  these  were  re-examined  by  counsel;  some  recanted  and 
took  an  oath  to  James;  others  very  weakly  had  friends  intercede 
and  got  off  upon  a  bond.  The  rest  were  perpetually  banished  to 
America."* 

Before  the  ship  sailed  the  following  protest  was  signed  by 
those  who  were  compelled  to  leave  their  native  land: 

' '  That  now  being  to  leave  their  own  native  and  covenanted 
land,  by  an  unjust  sentence  of  banishment,  for  owning  truth  and 
holding  by  duty,  and  studying  to  keep  by  their  covenanted  en- 
gagements and  baptismal  vows,  whereby  they  stand  obliged  to 
resist,  and  testify  against  all  that  is  contrary  to  the  word  of  God 
and  their  covenants;  and  that  their  sentence  of  banishment  ran 
chiefly  because  they  refused  the  oath  of  allegiance,  which  in  con- 
science the>T  could  not  take,  because  in  so  doing,  they  thought 
the}'  utterly  declined  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  from  having  any 
power  in  his  own  house,  and  practically  would,  by  taking  it,  say 
he  was  not  King  and  head  of  his  church  and  over  their  con- 
sciences; and,  on  the  contrary,  this  was  to  take  and  put  in  his 
room  a  man  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  yea,  a  man  that  is  a 
sworn  enemy  to  religion,  an  avowed  papist,  whom  by  our  cove- 
nant we  are  bound  to  withstand  and  disown,  and  that  agreeably 
to  the  Scripture,  Deut.  17:    14,  15." 

The  vessel  was  small,  three  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  and  the 
voyage  was  tempestuous  throughout.  The  ship  sprung  a  leak 
and  was  in  danger  of  sinking;  the  sails  were  rent  and  the  small 
boats  lost.  "After  they  had  turned  the  land  end  the  fever  began 
to  rage  in  the  ship.      Not  a  few  were  sick  when  they  came  aboard, 


'Wodrow.    The  Church  of  Scotland. 


4  l'KKSHYTKKIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

and  no  wonder,  considering  the  barbarous  treatment  they  had 
met  with;  besides  much  of  the  flesh  which  the  captain  of  the  ship 
had  provided  for  the  prisoners  began  to  stink  before  they  sailed 
out  of  Leith  road,  and  in  a  few  days  it  was  not  eatable.  In  a 
month's  time  the  fever  turned  malignant,  and  a  few  or  none  in 
the  ship  escaped  it,  insomuch  that  it  was  usual  to  cast  overboard 
three  or  four  dead  bodies  in  one  day.  Most  of  the  ship's  crew, 
except  the  captain  and  boatswain,  died.  Pitlochie  and  his  excel- 
lent lady  died  likewise;  and  near  seventy  persons  died  at  sea. 
Notwithstanding  of  this  raging  sickness  and  great  death  much 
severity  was  used  toward  the  prisoners  at  sea  by  the  master  of 
the  ship  and  others;  those  under  deck  were  not  allowed  to  go 
about  worship  by  themselves,  and  when  they  assayed  it  the  cap- 
tain would  throw  down  great  planks  of  timber  upon  them  to  dis- 
turb them,  and  sometimes  to  the  danger  of  their  lives."* 

With  the  death  of  Scot  the  captain  sought  to  influence  the 
company  to  sail  to  Virginia,  and  while  the  matter  was  being  dis- 
cussed heavy  winds  turned  the  vessel  toward  the  Jersey  coast, 
and,  passing  Sandy  Hook,  the  "  Henry  and  Francis  "  dropped 
anchor  in  Raritan  bay.  It  was  a  bleak  December  day;  snow  was 
on  the  ground;  but  when  this  wan  and  wasted  company  of  pil- 
grims set  foot  on  shore  they  sang  a  hymn  of  praise  to  God,  and 
Rev.  David  Simson,  the  ship's  chaplain,  led  them  in  a  prayer  of 
thanksgiving. 

The  accommodations  in  the  city  were  not  sufficient  for  so 
many  persons,  and  while  a  few  remained  as  permanent  residents, 
many  settled  in  Woodbridge,  New  York  and  New  England. 
Among  these  emigrants  were  Walter  Ker,  who  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Freehold,  and  David 
Jamison,  who  aided  in  the  formation  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  New  York  City.  Thus  New  Jersey  became  ' '  the 
cradle  of  Presbyterianism  in  America." 

David  Simson  remained  as  the  pastor  of  the  little  flock  and 
died  here.  He  was  the  first  minister,  so  far  as  is  now  known, 
who  held  religious  services  in  Perth  Ambov.      This  was  two  hun- 


'Wodrow.    The  Church  of  Scotland. 


BEGINNINGS. 


dred  and  seventeen  years  ago.  Another  colony  was  brought  over 
in  the  ship  "Caledonia,"  which  landed  its  passengers  in  171 5 
and  was  soon  after  wrecked.  Some  of  these  emigrants  are  repre- 
sented in  the  Crowells  and  Harriotts  of  our  city. 

Just  when  a  church  organization  was  completed,  if  at  all,  is 
not  known,  but  that  one  was  early  contemplated  is  evident  from 
the  following  record,  which  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  the  Synod 
of  Philadelphia: 

September  17,  1724.  The  overture  of  the  committee,  with 
reference  to  a  supplication  from  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Perth 
Amboy,  desiring  sermons  sometimes,  being  referred  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Philadelphia,  was  approved  by  the  Synod,  and  Mr. 
Anderson  was  appointed  to  write  a  letter  to  them  and  bring  it  in 
to-morrow  morning. 

September  18.  Morning  session.  A  letter  to  be  sent  to 
Perth  Amboy  brought  in  and  approved. 

The  "Mr.  Anderson"  mentioned  in  this  minute  was  Rev. 
James  Anderson,  the  first  settled  Presbyterian  pastor  in  New 
York  City,  where  he  had  gone  in  17 17.  The  next  important 
item  is  found  in  the  records  of  the  Eastern  Proprietors,  when  on 
July  22,  1731,  the  following  petition  was  presented: 

The  humble  petition  of  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  some  of 
the  city  of  Perth  Amboy  humbly  petitioneth — 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Proprietors  now  sitting  in  Perth  Amboy: 
WHEREAS  several  of  your  petitioners  have  in  the  old  Burial 
place,  so  called,  our  parents,  wives  and  children  interred,  we, 
your  petitioners,  humbly  beg  that  your  honorable  house  would 
take  into  consideration  and  grant  us  a  right  of  that  piece  of 
ground,  that  we  may  have  a  right  to  erect  a  meeting-house  for 
the  worship  of  God,  and  likewise  for  a  Burial  place;  and  that  it 
may  be  your  Honorable  Council's  order  that  the  said  piece  of 
ground  may  be  dedicated  to  the  said  use  and  no  other,  and  your 
humble  petitioners  will  forever  pray. 

John  Matthie,  John  Gaschrie, 

Wm.  Thompson,  Thomas  Ingi.is, 

Thomas  Loggans,        James  Leigh, 
John  Moore,  John  Herriott, 

John  Thompson,  Samuel  Moores, 

Alexander  Carnes. 
Which  petition  being  taken  into  consideration  by  this  Board, 
they  are  of  opinion  that  the  said  piece  of  land  do  remain  as  for- 


6  PRESBYTKRIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

merly  intended  for  a  public  Burial  place  for  the  inhabitants  of 
this  city.  But  that  the  petitioners  have  liberty  to  erect  and  build 
a  meeting-house  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  same,  and  this 
Board  do  hereby  lease,  as  far  as  in  them  lies,  unto  the  said  Peti- 
tioners, so  much  of  the  said  piece  of  land,  in  the  said  southeast 
corner,  as  shall  be  necessary  for  that  purpose,  not  exceeding  one 
chain  square,  for  the  term  of  one  thousand  years. 

The  ' '  old  Burial  place  ' '  occupied  the  ground  where  the  High 
School  building  now  stands,  and  for  many  years  was  called  the 
"Presbyterian  burying  ground."  The  above  petition  having 
been  granted,  a  building  was  erected  thereon  in  1735,  the  dedi- 
cation sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennant,  pastor  at 
New  Brunswick.  In  1740  the  congregation  united  with  Basking 
Ridge  and  Staten  Island,  Rev.  John  Cross  being  the  minister. 
At  his  suggestion  George  Whitfield  visited  the  city  and  held  ser- 
vices in  the  City  Hall,  which  was  always  crowded,  and  the  suc- 
cess which  attended  his  services  elsewhere  was  seen  here.  He 
said  of  Mr.  Cross:  "  He  is  a  dear  soul,  and  one  that  the  Lord  de- 
lights to  honor. ' '  At  this  time  Governor  Morris  wrote  to  the 
Duke  of  NewCastle:  "  Perth  Amboy  is  a  poor,  inconsiderable 
place,    and   there  is  little  probability  of  its  being  much  better." 

On  August  2,  1742,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  presby- 
tery of  New  Brunswick  for  the  services  of  Rev.  Charles  McNight, 
but  this  he  declined.  In  1761  Rev.  Elihu  Spencer  supplied  Mid- 
dletown,  Shrewsbury  and  Amboy.  In  October,  1762,  he  was 
directed  to  spend  one-fourth  of  his  time  at  the  latter  place.  Mr. 
Spencer  was  a  man  of  great  weight  in  the  public  and  ecclesiastical 
affairs  of  the  colonies.  Webster  says  of  him  in  his  History  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  America:  "What  must  Spencer  have 
been!  Loved  by  Brainerd  and  Edwards  in  his  youth;  the  suc- 
cessor of  Dickinson  and  Rogers  in  his  pastoral  work;  selected  by 
the  governors  of  two  colonies  as  chaplain  to  the  forces  on  im- 
portant expeditions;  intrusted  by  the  synod  with  momentous  re- 
sponsibilities among  the  new  settlers  in  Carolina;  and  performing 
these  duties  so  well  that,  at  the  lapse  of  ten  years,  the  Provincial 
Congress  called  him  from  his  distant  home  to  allay  the  conscien- 
tious scruples  deterring  the  Scots  from  throwing  off  their  alle- 
giance to  Britain." 


BEGINNINGS.  7 

In  1764  the  church  building  became  so  dilapidated  as  to  be- 
come dangerous,  and  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  assembly 
asking  permission  to  hold  a  lottery  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
money  to  repair  it.  The  recpiest  was  refused.  During  the  war 
of  the  Revolution  it  was  used  as  a  stable  by  British  cavalrymen, 
and  about  1785  it  disappeared. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  state  that  in  1771  the  Presby- 
terians of  the  province  of  New  Jersey,  through  their  clergymen, 
presented  a  petition  to  the  council  for  the  incorporation  of  a  so- 
ciety "for  the  better  support  and  education  of  the  widows  and 
children  of  deceased  Presbyterian  ministers. ' '  Governor  Frank- 
lin, in  writing  to  England  concerning  it,  objected  to  it  on  the 
ground  that  the  Presbyterians  should  not  be  granted  "any  other 
privileges  than  they  are  entitled  to  by  the  laws  of  toleration;" 
and  that  "a  similar  fund  had  been  used  in  Pennsylvania  in  order 
to  propagate  and  support  the  Presbyterian  religion  among  the 
new  settlers  in  different  parts  of  the  continent  of  North  America. ' ' 
The  council  finally  granted  the  request  on  condition  that  instead 
of  clergy  the  words  minister  or  teacher  should  be  said.  "The 
King,"  writes  the  attorney  general,  "can  not  know  nor  with 
propriety  call  an}-  men  clergymen  but  those  of  the  established 
Church  of  England,  at  least  in  England,  Ireland  and  these  col- 
onies. In  acts  of  Parliament  the  ministers  of  dissenting  congre- 
gations are  stiled  ministers  and  teachers,  never  clergymen.  I 
dare  say  they  have  not  the  same  stile  with  the  clergy  of  the  es- 
tablished church." 

During  the  Revolutionary  struggle  the  life  of  our  church 
was  severely  tried,  and  at  its  close  and  for  many  years  thereafter 
services  were  held  occasionally  either  in  private  houses  or  the 
court  house,  which  was  located  where  the  present  City  Hall 
stands. 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


CHAPTER    II. 
THE    FOUNDATION. 

7THE  opening  of  the  next  century  found  the  Presbyterians  de- 
sirous  of  uniting  in  a  permanent  organization.  Many  new 
settlers  who  had  taken  up  their  residence  in  the  city  were  without 
a  church  home  of  their  own  faith.  Although  the  population  only 
numbered  seven  hundred  souls  and  the  ambition  of  the  founders 
had  become  a  memory,  this  did  not  discourage  those  who  believed 
in  the  perseverance  of  the  saints  from  rebuilding  the  walls  of  their 
beloved  Jerusalem.  Captain  John  Angus  was  the  energetic  citi- 
zen who  breathed  life  into  this  movement.  He  called  a  meeting 
of  those  who  had  faith  in  the  project,  which  was  held  on  the  first 
of  October,  1801,  and  this  was  the  result: 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Subscribers  for  Building  a  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  City  of  Perth  Am  boy,  the  Sum  Subscribed  Amount- 
ing to  more  then  Limetted  on  the  Subscription  paper,  Agreeable 
to  public  Advertising,  The  following  Gentlemen  were  Unanimously 
Chosen,  as  Managers  for  Receiving  Subscriptions  and  Carrying 
on  the  Building.  John  Angus, 

David  Wait. 
JAmes  Harriott. 
By  Order  of  the  Meeting.      David  Wait,  Clk. 

Captain  Angus  appeared  before  the  Presbytery  of  New  York, 
then  in  session  at  Woodbridge,  Oct.  8,  stated  the  case  and  the 
following  action  was  taken: 

Captain  John  Angus,  from  the  City  of  Perth  Am  boy,  applied 
to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  in  behalf  of  an  association  of 
Gentlemen  of  that  City  who  have  it  in  view  to  build  a  place  of 
worship  and  to  form  a  Presbyterian  Congregation  for  Such  aid  as 
the  Presbytery  can  afford  them  in  accomplishing  their  object. 

Whereupon  the  Presbytery  taking  into  Consideration  the 
once  promising  State  of  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy  that  there  was 


THE    FOUNDATION.  9 

formerly  a  Presbyterian  Congregation  and  place  of  worship  in  it, 
and  its  present  destitute  Situation  with  Respect  to  the  institutions 
and  ordinances  of  Religion,  desiring  of  testifying  their  approba- 
tion of  the  commendable  zeal  and  activity  of  Captain  Angus  and 
the  other  Gentlemen  engaged  in  this  business,  and  hoping  that 
their  endeavors  may  be  Crowned  with  Success,  agreed  to  express 
their  approbation  of  the  Measure  and  to  Recommend  it  to  the 
Attention  of  all  Christian  and  charitably  disposed  people,  as  likely 
to  have  an  happy  influence  upon  the  Interests  of  said  City  and 
neighborhood  both  in  Religious  and  civil  point  of  view. 

Signed  by  order  in  Presbytery  at  Woodbridge,   Oct.  8,    1801. 

Henry  Cook,  Moderator. 

Among  the  subscribers  to  this  fund  were  Stephen  Girard, 
John  Quincy  Adams,  Elias  Boudinot,  Lewis  Claflin,  Abraham 
Varick,  Alexander  Stewart,  General  Ebenezer  Stevens  and  Peter 
Schermerhorn.  Of  this  fund  Philadelphia  contributed  $1,342, 
New  York  City  $1,058,  Elizabethtown  $188,  and  Newport  and 
Providence,  R.  I.,  $52.  General  Stevens  gave  the  pulpit  Bible 
still  in  our  possession,  on  which  are  printed  the  following  words: 


THE   GIFT   OF 

GEN.     EBENEZER     STEVENS, 

of  new  york,   to  the 

Presbvterian'Church  at  Pkrth  Amiiov 

SEPT.    21,    1802. 


Captain  Angus  donated  the  lot  which  is  in  part  the  site  of 
the  present  edifice,  and  in  May,  1802,  the  foundation  of  the  build- 
ing, which  was  used  until  last  year,  was  laid.  The  church,  sixty 
feet  by  thirty-six,  was  most  commodious  at  that  time  and  had  the 
largest  auditorium  in  the  city.  Finished  in  a  neat  and  handsome 
style,  it  was  opened  for  public  worship  on  Thursday,  June  9, 
1803,  the  dedication  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Stanhope  Smith,  D.  D. ,  president  of  Princeton  College,  from  the 
text,  2  Timothy  II:  8.:  Remember  that  Jesus  Christ  of  the 
seed  of  David  was  raised  from  the  dead. 

Captain  John  Angus,  who  did  so  much  to  promote  this 
present  organization,  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth  and  derived  his 
militarv  title  from  service  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.      He  was 


w 

,     I 
1     I 


^••'•^f 


«'«' 


THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    ERECTED    IN    1803. 
Photographed  from  Whitehead's  History  of  Perth  Amboy.    By  Tobias. 


THE    FOUNDATION.  I  I 

a  tall,  broad-shouldered  man,  living  in  a  house  which  is  now  No. 
24  Smith  street.  Newspapers  were  rare  a  century  ago,  and  very 
few  were  found  in  the  city.  It  is  said  of  the  good  captain,  who 
was  a  subscriber,  that  as  soon  as  his  paper  was  received  he  ap- 
peared with  it  on  the  street  and,  gathering  a  group  of  eager  lis- 
teners, read  the  news  of  the  day.  He  died  January  10,  18 17,  and 
lies  buried  in  our  cemetery. 

David  Wait,  who,  with  Captain  Angus  and  John  Lewis,  con- 
stituted the  first  session  and  the  first  board  of  trustees, 
was  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in  1754.  He  ran  away 
from  his  native  land  to  escape  service  in  the  army, 
but  the  troublous  times  in  America  aroused  his  sympathy 
and  he  enlisted  in  the  Continental  army.  He  was  captured  by 
the  British  forces  and  incarcerated  in  the  Barracks.  When  peace 
was  declared  he  became  a  resident  in  the  city  and  his  descendants 
are  now  on  the  rolls  of  our  church.  He  died  18 10.  John  Lewis 
was  a  carpenter.  He  died  18 15.  General  James  Harriott  took 
an  active  interest  in  the  organization  and  did  much  to  bring  it 
about.  He  united  on  profession  of  his  faith  March  29,  1804. 
He  was  an  early  trustee  and  in  18 14  became  an  elder.  Being  a 
builder,  he  erected  the  church  and  also  the  manse.  He  early 
displayed  a  fondness  for  military  tactics,  and  was  called  captain 
in  1800.  He  was  a  general  in  the  war  of  18 12.  He  identified 
himself  with  the  city's  interests  and  was  postmaster  in  1830.  The 
postoffice  was  in  his  residence,  which  is  the  building  at  130 
Rector  street.      Here  he  died  November  13,  1848. 

In  January,  1802,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  for  the 
election  of  a  pastor,  and  Rev.  Elias  Riggs,  a  licentiate  of  the 
presbytery  of  New  York,  was  chosen.  Mr.  Riggs  was  born  at 
Mendham,  N.  J.,  April  1,  1770,  and  graduated  at  Princeton  Col- 
lege in  1795,  where  he  remained  as  tutor  for  one  year.  He 
studied  theology  privately,  was  married  in  1801  to  Mrs.  Margaret 
Condar,  widow  of  Daniel  Hudson,  of  Newark,  and  removed  to 
Perth  Amboy  in  1803,  where  he  began  his  labors  on  Sunday, 
March  7.  The  next  day  he  opened  an  academy,  for  he  was  to  be 
a  teacher  as  well  as  preacher,  and  in  this  building  Sabbath  ser- 
vices were  held  until  the  church  was    completed.      He  was    or- 


12  PRRSBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

dained  August  2,  and  acted  as  pastor  until  October,  1806,  when 
he  became  pastor  at  New  Providence  (West  Summit),  N.  J.  He 
was  installed  June  10  of  the  year  following,  and  remained  in  this 
charge  until  his  death,  which  occurred  February  25,  1825,  under 
the  following  circumstances:  "He  attended  with  his  son  Elias, 
then  a  lad  fifteen  years  old,  a  funeral  in  a  distant  part  of  his  par- 
ish. A  heavy  snow  had  fallen,  and,  on  their  way  home,  the 
horse  taking  fright,  the  sleigh  was  upset  and  its  occupants  thrown 
into  a  snow  bank.  A  heavy  cold  was  contracted,  which  devel- 
oped pneumonia,  and  in  eight  days  he  died.  This  was  on  the 
day  and  at  the  hour  appointed  for  a  lecture  preparatory  to  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  following  Sabbath  in- 
stead of  the  communion  the  members  attended  his  funeral.  "He 
was  a  man  of  scholarly  tastes,  a  godly  man  and  faithful  pastor, 
and  commanded  by  his  exemplary  life  and  conversation  the  affec- 
tions of  his  people  and  respect  of  the  community."  Of  his  six 
children  two  became  eminent  clergymen,  Rev.  Joseph  L,.,  a  pastor 
in  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  and  Rev.  Elias,  D.D.,  IX.  D.,  for  thirty-two 
years  a  missionary  in  Persia;  and  two  of  his  daughters  became 
the  wives  of  clergymen,  Rev.  J.  G.  Montfort,  D.D.,  of  Cincin- 
nati, and  Rev.  Joseph  L,.  Potter,  D.D.,  missionary  in  Persia;  and 
this  blessing  has  been  given  to  his  grandchildren. 

In  his  work  of  three  and  a  half  years  Mr.  Riggs  laid  the 
foundations  strong  and  deep,  and  not  only  saw  completed  and 
dedicated  the  building  in  which  his  people  worshiped  with  com- 
paratively few  changes  for  a  century,  but  also  received  into  mem,- 
bership  twenty-seven  persons.  There  were  only  two  church  or- 
ganizations in  the  city  at  that  time,  and  a  feeling  of  fraternity 
existed  between  them,  as  is  evident  from  this  action  of  the  ses- 
sion, which  is  dated  Oct.  25,  1804: 

' '  In  consecpience  of  the  Episcopalians  having  appointed 
Thursday,  the  first  of  Nov.  to  be  observed  by  them,  as  a  day  of 
public  thanksgiving,  Agreed,  that  we  recommend  to  the  members 
of  our  congregation,  to  abstain  on  that  day  from  such  work  as 
might  tend  to  disturb  their  devotion." 

The  salary  of  the  minister  was  not  large,  the  only  subscrip- 
tion list  found  showing  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  dollars  as 
the  full  amount  for  one  year,   and  at  the  end  of  the  year  sixty- 


THE   FOUNDATION.  1 3 

four  dollars  had  not  been  paid.  Whatever  other  income  Mr.  Riggs 
received  came  from  the  fees  of  students  in  the  academy,  but  even 
this  account  shows  an  indebtedness  for  the  first  year  of  twenty- 
six  dollars. 


14  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AM  BOY. 


CHAPTER    III. 
MANY  CHANGES. 

ZTHE  church  was  vacant  for  one  year  when  the  Rev.  John  Keys 
accepted  an  invitation  to  act  as  supply.  Mr.  Keys  was 
born  at  Wilton,  New  Hampshire,  August  28,  1778.  His  father, 
a  soldier  in  the  Continental  army,  was  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Ti- 
conderoga.  The  son  entered  Dartmouth  College  and  graduated 
in  1803;  taught  school  in  New  York  City  one  year,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Morristown,  N.  J.,  where  he  studied  theology  under 
Rev.  James  Richards,  D.D.  The  presbytery  of  New  York,  in 
session  at  Orangedale,  N.  J.,  October  3,  1805,  licensed  him  to 
preach;  and  the  same  presbytery  ordained  him  in  Perth  Amboy 
August  4,  1807.  He  remained  here,  however,  only  one  year. 
In  1808  he  was  pastor  at  Sand  Lake,  near  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  remained  four  years.  He  resided  in  Albany  for  two  years, 
and  in  18 14  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Wolcott, 
Connecticut.  His  next  pastorate  was  in  the  Congregational 
church  at  Tallmadge,  Ohio,  beginning  in  1S23  and  closing  in 
in  1832.  He  then  supplied  churches  for  brief  seasons  in  Ohio, 
Illinois,  Missouri  and  Iowa.  He  died  at  Dover,  Ohio,  January 
21,  1867.  The  year  before  coming  to  Perth  Amboy  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  May  Carmichael,  of  Morristown.  Mr.  Keys  "was 
an  industrious,  hard-working  man,  though  to  labor  in  the  cause 
of  Christ  was  delightful  to  his  soul.  He  was  a  prayer  loving 
Christian,  making  many  matters  subjects  of  special  prayer  that 
are  often  merely  referred  to  in  general  terms;  owing  to  the  weight 
of  years  reducing  the  tone  of  his  sytem,  he  was  at  times  despond- 
ent, but  his  last  end  was  peace,  his  last  words  being, — 'O, 
wretched  man  that  I  am!  Who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body 
of  this  death?     I  thank  God  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.'  "* 

♦Presbyterian  Historical  Almanac. 


MANY   CHANGES. 


15 


The  year  of  Mr.  Keys'  residence  in  this  city  was  a  dis- 
couraging time.  The  session  regarded  it  with  sorrow,  as  we 
conclude  from  the  following  record  made  in  January,  1808: 

' '  There  being  no  business  before  us,  some  time  was  passed 
in  free  conversation  concerning  the  low  state  of  religion  among 
us.  The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  then  spent  in  humbly  im- 
ploring the  Iyord  of  life  to  regard  us  in  mercy,  and  if  it  could  be 
consistent  with  his  sovereign  will,  to  send  us  also  His  Holy  Spirit 
as  he  has  done  to  neighboring  churches." 

In  1808  Rev.  Daniel  Hopkins  supplied  the  pulpit.     In  this 
year  Mrs.  Doziah  Blood  good,  wife  of  William  Blood  good,  became 
a  member  of  the  church.     She  was  born  in  1779  and  died  the  old- 
est   member  at  the  time    of    her   death,    and    the   oldest    inhab- 
itant of  the  city.     From  1829  to  1847  she  was  a  member  of  the 
Woodbridge  church,   but  in  the  latter  year  her  membership  was 
renewed  with  this  organization,  making  her  term  of  service   fifty- 
three  years.      In  December,    1879,    she  celebrated  her  one   hun- 
dredth birthday  and  at  this  anniversary  there  were  present  her 
seven  living  children  aged  respectively    eighty    years,    seventy- 
seven,  seventy-four,  seventy-two,  sixty-nine,  sixty-six  and  fifty- 
nine  ;     grandchildren,     great- 
grandchildren and  two  great- 
great-grandchildren.      At  this 
celebration  she  sang  in  a  clear 
and  distinct  voice,  "My  Days 
are  Gliding  Swiftly  By. ' '    She 
died  February,  1880. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church 
was  Rev.  Peter  Stryker,  who 
was  installed  November  20, 
1809,  Rev.  Mr.  Pictou 
preaching  the  sermon  from 
I.  Corinthians,  II:  2  :  For  I 
determined  not  to  know  any- 
thing among  you  save  Jesus 
Christ  and  him  crucified. 
Rev.     A.    Roe,    D.    D.,     pre- 


REV.    PETER    STRYKER. 


l6  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    A.MBOY. 

sided  and  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Carll 
the  charge  to  the  people.  New  life  and  new  hopes  had  come 
back  to  the  church  when  suddenly  the  next  year  Mr.  Stryker 
was  recalled  to  his  former  congregations  at  Belleville  and  Stone 
House  Plains,  the  reason  given  being  ' '  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  his  present  situation."  In  going,  which  he  did  in 
December,  he  expressed  regret  "  at  leaving  a  people  whose 
affectionate  regards  and  marked  attention  have  laid  me  under 
great  obligations  ever  to  esteem  and  love  them. 

This  brief  pastorate  cannot  be  allowed  to  pass  without  a  more 
detailed  reference  to  the  man  who  in  his  short  life  in  this  city 
left  a  blessing  which  continued  for  many  years.  He  was  born  in 
New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  December  23,  1763,  of  ancestors 
who  came  from  Holland  in  1652,  and  who  held  honorable  posi- 
tions in  the  community  and  were  devoted  members  of  the  Dutch 
Church.  He  early  became  a  believer  in  the  Christian  religion. 
Young  Peter  was  a  fifer  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution.  He  was 
a  student  at  Columbia  University;  licensed  May  8,  1788,  and  be- 
came pastor  of  a  church  on  Staten  Island.  Here  he  remained 
until  1794,  when  he  was  called  to  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of 
Belleville;  from  this  church  he  was  called  to  Perth  Amboy,  but 
returning  to  Belleville  in  18 10  he  remained  until  18 12,  ill  health 
compelling  him  to  resign.  He  died  March  16,  1847.  He  was  a 
refined,  dignified  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  and  a  strong  man 
in  his  denomination.  Although  retired  from  the  active  pastorate, 
he  was  not  idle,  but  sought  avenues  for  advancing  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  In  18 15  he  mad^  a  missionary  tour  of  eleven  months 
in  all  kinds  of  weather  to  Easton,  up  the  Susquehanna  valley, 
across  to  Troy  and  down  the  Hudson.  His  sou  Harmons,  grand- 
son Peter  and  his  great-grandson-in-law.  Rev.  W.  W.  Conner, 
have  all  preached  in  the  Bellvelle  church,  Mr.  Conner  being  the 
present  pastor.  The  grandson,  Rev.  Peter  Stryker,  D.  D.,  was 
for  many  years  a  much  beloved  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  de- 
nomination. He  was,  however,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
church  at  Asbury  Park  when  he  died  in  1900. 

We  can  see  this  pastor  of  the  long  ago  as  with  stately  mien 
he  entered  the  door  and  walked  to  the  winding  stairs  which  led 


MANY    CHANGES.  I  7 

to  the  pulpit.  These  he  ascended  and  seated  himself  in  the  an- 
tique chair.  It  was  a  curious  place,  that  pulpit,  stuck  high  up 
like  a  tiny  box  at  the  east  end  of  the  church.  Above  it  was  a 
sounding  board,  and  on  top  of  this  was  perched  a  "gilt  dove." 
An  hour  glass  measured  the  length  of  the  sermon.  The  pews 
were  box  in  shape,  with  backs  so  high  that  the  children  had 
great  difficulty  in  seeing  the  preacher.  Doors  shut  in  the  occu- 
pants during  service.  In  the  winter  bricks  and  soap-stones  were 
heated  and  placed  in  the  pews  in  lieu  of  the  modern  stove. 
The  geese,  a  common  product  of  the  city,  had  no  regard  for  the 
Sabbath,  but  browsed  around  for  pickings  as  on  other  days. 
Often  their  cackling,  as  the  noise  came  through  the  open  doors 
and  windows,  so  disturbed  the  congregation  that  the  sex- 
ton would  rush  out  and  drive  them  away.  Dogs  re- 
garded the  day  with  more  solemnity,  and,  seeking  their  mas- 
ters through  the  same  open  doors,  were  welcomed  to  their  pews. 
The  communicants  were  seated  at  tables  extending  the  length  of 
the  aisles,  and  tokens  were  deposited  by  those  who  participated 
before  the  elements  were  passed. 

The  minister  having  no  permanent  home,  the  church  in  1808 
decided  to  build  a  manse.  A  subscription  was  made  that  year, 
and  although  the  house  was  occupied  the  year  following  the  costs 
continued  until  18 1 7.  The  original  cost  was  $1884,  exclusive  of 
the  lot  which  was  another  donation  from  Captain  Angus.  That 
parsonage  had  a  long  drawn  out  expense  account,  as  is  seen  in 
looking  over  the  bills  which  the  trustees  paid.  Perhaps  some  of 
the  material  which  aided  in  the  construction,  had  much  to  do 
with  the  interminable  cost,  for  the  word  "spirit"  occurs  very 
often  among  the  charges.  Following  in  quick  succession  in  one 
account  are  the  items  "1  quart  spirits,  6  lb  white  lade,  1  lb  putty, 
1  lbneils."  Workmen  were  paid  one  dollar  a  day.  Hard  brick 
were  worth  fifty  shillings  a  thousand  and  soft  brick  twenty-five 
shillings.  It  cost  "towe  shilings  pur  pose  for  seder  posts,"  five 
dollars  for  "diging  seller,"  one  dollar  and  twenty-five 
cents  for  "  blowiu  stone,"  and  twelve  shillings  for 
"  plasterin  hare." 

In    1 8 10  a  "celler  drean  under  said  house"   was   dug  ;  the 


i8 


PRESBYTERIANP3M    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


next  year  "one  sistern  ;"  and  the  year  following  an  "ovan." 
Then  the  '  'seller  of  the  parsonage  house' '  had  to  be  filled  up  with 
sand  and  the  "kitchen  harth"  laid.  Six  years  after  its  supposed 
completion  it  needed  a  new  coat  of  paint;  a  fence  was  built,  and 
in  their  anxiety  for  the  minister's  welfare  the  trustees  had  ne- 
glected the  church.  This  called  for  attention  and  money  was  ex- 
pended for  "conducting  the  bell  rope  through  sealing  of  gallery," 


THE  PARSONAGE,    1809-1869. 


repairing  the  "steple,"  painting  the  building  at  a  cost  of  two 
hundred  dollars  and  putting  posts  into  the  "burying  ground." 
This  house  is  now  101  Rector  street. 

Rev.   Joshua  Young  of  the  Congregational  council  of  Maine 
supplied  the  church  for  six  months  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1S14. 


MANY    CHANGES. 


19 


The  next  year  Rev.  Elias  Riggs  was  re-called  on  a  salary  of  $300 
and  the  use  of  the  parsonage,  but  this  call  he  declined.  In  18 16 
Rev.  Joseph  Bishop  Andrews  became  stated  supply.  He  occupied 
this  relation  until  June  16,  18 19,  when  he  was  installed  as  pastor. 
At  this  service  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Cox  of  Mendham  preached  the 
sermon  from  Romans  I:  16, — For  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ:  for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every- 
one that  believeth  ;  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek. 

Dr.  Andrews  was  born  at  Southington,  Connecticut,  March 
r7>  x775  :  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1797  ;  married  August  17, 
1801,  Miss  May  Bissell  of  Windsor,  who  died  December  24,  1848. 
He  became  a  licentiate  June  5,  1799,  and  was  ordained  pastor  in 
Killingworth,  April  12,  1802.     In  181 1  he  removed  to  New  York 

City,  where  he  established  a 
private  school,  and  organized 
a  Sabbath  scbool  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Franklin  street  and 
Broadway.  He  also  studied 
medicine,  graduating  at  the 
College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  March  n,  1816. 
This  was  the  year  he  entered 
upon  work  in  this  church. 
His  pastorate  terminated  De- 
cember 19,  1822.  He  re- 
mained here  for  some  time, 
practising  medicine,  acting  as 
health  officer  of  the  port,  and 
in  1S29  was  president  of  the 
Middlesex  County  Medical 
Society.  He  then  removed 
to  his  old  home  in  Connecti- 
cut where  he  resided  for  many  years,  representing  his  town  in 
1836  in  the  legislature.  His  home  after  that  was  in  New  York 
City;  he  died  April  26,  1853,  aQd  is  buried  in  Alpine  Cemetery. 
Dr.  Andrews  was  a  linguist  and  scholar  and  a  man  of  intense 
energy  and  perseverance.      He  believed  in  total  abstinence  at  a 


REV.   J.    B.    AXDREWS,  M.   D. 


20  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

time  when  it  was  unpopular  to  advocate  such  a  cause  ;  he  spared 
not  in  his  denunciations  against  intemperance  ;  and  members 
were  disciplined  for  their  overindulgence  in  intoxicating  liquors. 
His  granddaughter,  Mrs.Sarah  A.Whitman,  resides  in  New  York 
City.  Her  father,  Dr.  Solomon  Andrews,  was  a  physician  in  this 
city  for  many  years. 

The  population  of  Perth  Amboy  in  1820  was  about  eight  hun- 
dred, and  of  this  number  thirty  persons  were  slaves.  From  very 
early  days  it  was  desirable  that  the  "province  have  a  constant 
and  sufficient  supply  of  merchantable  negroes,  at  moderate  rates, 
in  money  or  commodities. ' '  *  Many  advertisements  were  inserted 
in  the  papers  offering  rewards  for  runaway  slaves.  Two  negroes 
were  burned  at  the  stake  in  our  city  for  murder,  and  fears  of  an 
uprising  were  frequent.  But  from  the  time  above  mentioned  by 
an  act  of  the  legislature  slavery  gradually  passed  away.  The 
stocks  opposite  the  church  in  the  Square,  where  drunkards,  wife- 
beaters  and  other  offenders  were  punished,  were  in  use.  In  the 
centre  of  the  Square  the  old  market  stood,  where  on  Tuesdays 
and  Saturdays  the  farmer  with  his  produce  and  his  fowls  and  the 
butcher  with  his  meats  welcomed  their  customers.  This  building 
was  divided  into  two  sections  running  east  and  west,  each  fifty 
feet  long  and  twenty  wide,  seperated  by  the  walks  which  now 
divide  Market  Square  ;  and  on  other  days  the  children  as  they 
came  out  of  the  old  Court  House  turned  it  into  a  gymnasium. 
Where  the  Packer  House  stands  was  Arnold's  City  Hotel,  a  pub- 
lic house  which  was  erected  before  the  Revolution,  and  at  that 
period  was  the  chief  hostelry  of  the  city.  Washington  stopped 
here  on  his  visit  to  Amboy  in  1776,  as  did  Adams,  Franklin  and 
Rutledge  when  they  were  on  their  way  to  meet  L,ord  Howe  at 
the  Billop  House  Conference.  The  walls  of  this  old  building  are 
doing  service  now  as  in  the  years  gone  by. 

Many  of  our  streets  had  not  the  same  names  that  designate 
them  in  our  day,  as  for  example,  Gordon  was  Gully  street;  Rec- 
tor, Cross  street;  Fayette,  South  Dock  street;  Commerce,  North 
Dock  street;  and  State,  Backstreet.     The  Barracks  were  used  by 


*  Smith's  New  Jersey. 


22  PRESBYTKRIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

Dr.  Solomon  Andrews  as  a  manufactory  for  government  locks. 
The  Westminster  Home  was  the  residence  of  Matthias  Bruen, 
reputed  to  be  at  that  time  the  wealthiest  citizen  of  the  United 
States.  He  had  long  been  a  member  of  this  congregation  and 
early  identified  himself  with  its  interests.  His  home  had  within 
its  walls  many  costly  paintings  and  rare  pieces  of  statuary.  John 
Jacob  Astor  was  a  frequent  guest  and  on  one  occasion  visited  and 
addressed  the  Sabbath  School.  The  modes  of  traveling  were 
primitive  compared  with  our  day.  A  small  steamboat  conveyed 
passengers  to  New  York.  The  schedule  time  was  four  hours, 
leaving  here  at  nine  o'clock  and  arriving  at  one  in  the  afternoon. 
The  stasre  coach  was  used  instead  of  the  railroad  and  trollev  car. 


DIFFERENCES.  23 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DIFFERENCES. 
|T  were  better  no  doubt  if  this  chapter  could  be  omitted,  but  a 
true  history  of  this  church  can  not  be  given  without  at  least 
a  cursory  glance  at  the  unfortunate  state  of  affairs  which  existed 
for  almost  eight  years,  causing  alienation,  the  interference  of 
presbytery,  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  and  the  with- 
drawal of  members  to  other  denominations.  Just  how  these  dif- 
ferences began  it  is  difficult  at  this  period  of  time  to  determine, 
but  the  presumption  is  in  favor  of  a  statement  made  by  one  of 
the  witnesses  in  court,  viz. :  The  remarks  made  by  the  minister 
who  was  then  pastor  against  the  prevailing  sin  of  intemperance 
in  the  congregation.  Some  of  the  members  had  been  guilty  of 
intoxication  and  the  reproof  was  of  too  personal  a  character. 
Misunderstanding  grew  until  the  session  and  trustees  were  in 
conflict.  The  latter  sought  to  direct  the  congregation  and 
usurped  the  duties  of  the  elders.  Finally  two  boards  of  trustees 
were  acting  and  the  case  was  appealed  to  presbytery. 

Ministers  were  sent  by  this  body  to  supply  the  church  but 
in  1824  the  conflict  was  so  bitter  that  their  supplies  were  not  al- 
lowed to  preach  in  the  building.  Each  board  of  trustees  had 
locked  the  doors,  and  neither  would  remove  their  lock  lest  the 
opposition  might  take  an  undue  advantage.  Then  the  case  was 
taken  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  Jersey.  Among  the  lawyers 
engaged  on  the  case  was  the  Hon.  Theodore  Frelinghuysen.  For 
one  year  this  state  of  affairs  existed.  Sendees  were  held  at  the 
academy  and  in  private  houses  ;  and  each  side  fought  with  an 
energy  worthy  a  better  cause.  Beside  the  members  of  presbytery 
who  were  sent  on  special  Sundays,  other  ministers  were  engaged 
for  short  periods. 


24  PRKSBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

Among  the  ministers  were  Rev.  Michael  Osborne  for  six 
months,  1823-4,  who  was  then  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Metuchen  chnrch  ;  Mr.  Jeptha  Harrison,  a  licentiate  of  the  pres- 
bytery of  Newark;  Mr.  Henry  G.  Ludlow,  a  student  at  Princeton 
Seminary  ;  Rev.  Abner  C.  Morse,  for  six  months  in  1826,  and 
Rev.  Nathaniel  A.  Wilson,  1828-31.  Mr.  Wilson's  influence  was 
most  marked  and  in  his  residence  of  two  years  and  a  half  he  did 
much  to  bring  order  out  of  chaos.  He  was  born  at  Elizabeth 
and  united  with  the  First  Church  at  fourteen  years  of  age;  grad- 
uated at  Princeton  college,  1823,  and  Princeton  Seminar}',  1826. 
He  was  licensed  October  5  and  ordained  in  this  church  April  29, 
1828.  Rev.  William  Gray  preached  the  sermon  from  Proverbs 
n:  30, — The  fruit  of  the  righteous  is  a  tree  of  life,  and  he  that 
winneth  souls  is  wise.  Rev.  David  Magie,  D.  D.,  presided  and 
gave  the  charge  to  the  minister.  Mr.  Wilson's  health  failing,  he 
removed  to  Philadelphia  in  1831,  where  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Fairmount  Church,  but  he  died  that  year.  He  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Peter  H.  Shaw,  who  came  from  the  presbytery  of  New 
York.  Rev.  David  R.  Gillmer  of  the  Congregational  church  sup- 
plied in  1834. 

The  members  of  the  church  felt  very  deeply  their  position 
before  God  and  in  this  city,  and  the  session  met  once  a  month 
"for  the  purpose  of  imploring  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  and 
the  influences  of  His  grace  to  heal  the  division,  to  quicken  and 
enliven  both  ourselves  and  the  members."  The  state  of  piety 
was  very  low.  Many  members  absented  themselves  from  the 
services.  A  committee  of  session  waited  on  the  absentees  and 
tried  to  reconcile  the  differences.  Revs.  John  McDowell,  D.  I)., 
and  David  Magie,  D.  D. ,  of  Elizabeth  were  sent  by  presbytery  to 
seek  ways  by  which  harmony  might  be  restored.  A  special  day 
of  prayer  both  in  private  and  this  church  was  appointed,  but  it 
was  not  until  the  summer  of  1830  that  peace  came.  A  compro- 
mise was  reached  between  the  parties  in  which  both  agreed  to 
cease  their  contentions,  unite  in  the  election  of  a  new  board  of 
trustees  and  the  support  of  the  church.  The  law  suit  was  with- 
drawn, both  parties  uniting  in  paying  the  costs,  and  the 
election  of  trustees  took  place  harmoniously   and   unanimously. 


DIFFERENCES.  25 

For  twelve  years  ministers  came  and  went  and  for  four  years  the 
church  sought  to  restore  its  energies  after  the  discussion  which 
almost  destroyed  it.  It  is  a  surprise  it  did  not  die  altogether, 
but  the  prayers  of  the  few  who  took  no  part  in  the  controversy 
brought  the  healing  and  harmouv. 


26  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


CHAPTER  V. 

A    LONG    PASTORATE. 

SHE  sky  was  now  brightening  and  better  days  had  come.  The 
man  for  the  occasion  was  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Cory.  A 
congregational  meeting  was  held  on  March  30,  1835,  and  a  call 
made  for  Mr.  Cory's  services.  It  was  signed  by  James  Harriott, 
Charles  Ford  and  Samuel  R.  Ford,  elders,  and  John  Young, 
Benjamin  Maurice,  David  Crowell,  George  Hampton,  William  J. 
Ford  and  Edwin  Ford,  trustees  ;  Rev.  Shepard  K.  Kollock  mod- 
erating the  meeting.  The  salary  promised  was  three  hundred 
dollars  per  anum  "and  as  much  more  as  can  be  raised  by  the 
congregation  together  with  the  use  of  the  parsonage."  Benjamin 
Cory  was  born  near  Westfield,   New  Jersey,   February  24,    1807. 

In  early  youth  he  accepted  a 
position  in  a  store  in  Eliza- 
beth and  during  a  revival  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
was  converted  and  soon 
after  entered  Princeton 
College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1832.  He  was 
licensed  1834  and  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  this 
church,  May  6,  1835.  Rev. 
H.  \V.  Hunt  of  Metucheu 
preached  the  sermon,  Rev. 
Lewis  Bond  of  Plainfield  pre- 
sided and  gave  the  charge  to 
the  pastor  and  Rev.  Thomas 
REV.   benjamin  CORY.  L-   Janeway  of    Rahway,   the 


A    LONG    PASTORATE.  2  J 

charge  to  the  people.  Mr.  Cory  had  a  twin  brother  named 
Joseph  and  these  young  men  graduated  from  college 
in  the  same  class,  studied  theology  together,  were  li- 
censed at  the  same  time  and  ordained  at  the  same  session  of  pres- 
byter}-. 

Quietly  and  patiently  was  the  work  carried  on,  and  each 
year  showed  an  increase  in  membership  and  income.  The  roll 
had  on  it  in  1835  only  twenty-six  active  members,  but  when  this 
ministry  closed  there  were  one  hundred  additional  members. 
Two  blessed  revivals  aided  in  this  result,  the  first  in  1837  when 
twenty-one  persons  united  and  the  other  in  1855  when  forty- 
seven  members  were  received.  This  ingathering  was  brought 
about  largely  through  the  earnest  prayers  of  the  session  which 
had  for  its  members  Samuel  G.  Woodbridge,  Daniel  Selover, 
Cornelius  Selover  and  C.  C.  Pierson.  Without  even  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  pastor  meetings  were  held  at  the  close  of  Sunday 
services  to  pray  for  a  revival.  Soon  there  was  heard  "the  sound 
of  a  going  in  the  tops  of  the  mulberry  trees"  and  Mr.  Cory  was 
urged  to  call  a  public  meeting  in  the  lecture  room  for  prayer. 
The  little  room  was  thronged  ;  then  other  meetings  followed  with 
different  pastors  to  help  in  the  preaching  and  the  result  was  seen 
in  many  conversions. 

The  salary  was  increased  in  1840  to  $400  and  in  1855  to 
$600.  The  most  marked  change  was  in  the  addition  of  the  Sun- 
day School  or  session  room  which  was  built  in  1850  on  the  lot 
north  of  the  church.  This  was  used  until  ten  years  ago  when  it 
was  sold  to  the  Swedish  Congregational  church  as  a  place  of 
worship.  It  is  located  on  Gordon  street  near  State.  The  com- 
munion table's  were  discarded  and  elements  distributed  as  is  now 
the  custom. 

In  the  interior  of  the  building  the  "gilt  dove"  came  down 
with  its  perch,  and  a  pulpit  of  modern  style  was  built  with  a  sofa 
instead  of  chairs  for  the  minister's  comfort.  Stoves  took  the 
place  of  the  heated  bricks.  One  was  bought  and  another  bor- 
rowed. So  much  comfort  was  derived  from  the  experiment  that 
in  1838  two  large  wood  stoves  were  purchased  and  placed  in  the 
northwest  and  southeast  corners.     One  pipe  ran  the  entire  length 


THE    CHURCH    AND.  SESSION    ROOM,     1850-1869. 


A    LONG    PASTORATE. 


29 


of  the  building,  and  one  Sabbath  morning  during  the  delivery  of 
the  sermon  the  wire  holding  it  in  place  broke,  and  down  came 
pipe,  soot  and  sparks  of  fire  upon  the  heads  of  the  worshipers. 
Consternation  soon  gave  place  to  laughter  at  the  ridiculous  ap- 
pearance of  those  who  received  the  full  benefit  of  the  baptism. 
The  sermon  was  not  resumed. 

The  box  pews  were  displaced  with  new  ones  of  more  modern 
design.  The  choir  occupied  the  gallery  over  the  entrance 
and  there  soon  came  an  evolution  in  the  musical  instruments 
used,  with  the  tuning  fork  no  longer  holding  first  place.  It  dis- 
appeared before  a  bass  viol  played  by  Dr.  L.  D.  Morse  and  the 
flute  by  Edward  Crowell.  The  next  change  was  to  a  melodeon  so 
small  that  James  Crowell,  its  possessor,  carried  it  to  and  from  his 
home  every  Sunday.  The  congregation  finally  was  rich  enough 
to  purchase  its  own  reed  organ,  with  James  Crowell  as  organist. 
But  its  introduction  brought  about  unlooked-for  complications, 
for  no  interludes  or  preludes  could  be  played  without  offending 
some  of  the  officers.  The  choir  in  1859  was  composed  of  Dr. 
Morse,  Edward  Crowell,  Robert  Freeman,  David  F.  Wait, 
Thompson  Wait  and  Misses  Anna  See,  Jennie  Dunham,  S.  M. 
Freeman,  Sarah  Crowell,  Amelia  Crowell  and  Rachel  Hull. 

It  was  a  very  serious  offence  in  those  far  away  years  for 
members  of  the  church  to  engage  in  the  "ungodly  sin  of  danc- 
ing," and  offenders  were  waited  upon  by  the  elders  and  "urged 
to  refrain."  The  principal  amusement  of  the  winter  was  the 
donation  party  at  the  parsonage  when  young  and  old  gathered 
with  edible  gifts  which  they  helped  to  sample,  but  left  enough 
for  the  minister  and  his  family  for  a  few  days  thereafter.  Money 
was  also  contributed.  The  Sunday  School  gave  "exhibitions" 
in  the  City  Hall.  Until  the  lecture  room  was  built  the  prayer 
meetings  were  held  in  private  houses.  Sunday  service  was  held 
morning  and  afternoon,  but  on  the  first  Sunday  evening  of  each 
month  a  missionary  concert  was  given.  A  Bible  class  was  taught 
during  the  week  by  Mr.  Cory. 

On  Sabbath,  June  17,  i860,  Mr.  Cory  resigned,  but  the  con- 
gregation did  not  act  upon  it,  and  then  only  with  reluctance,  un- 
til September  24.     His  next   pastorate  was  the  First  Church  of 


30  PRKSBYTKRIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

Plainfield,  where  he  remained  five  years  and  then  removed  to 
Elizabeth,  where  he  resided  until  he  died,  March  18,  1888,  in  the 
eighty-second  year  of  his  age.  For  fifty-three  years  he  was  a 
member  of  this  presbytery.  Despite  his  advancing  age  and  conse- 
quent weakness,  he  gave  earnest  and  useful  public  service  to  the 
last  of  life.  He  was  married  November  18,  1835,  to  Miss  Man- 
Crane,  who  died  November,  1901.  Two  children  survive — Mrs. 
Dr.  F.  W.  Seward,  of  Goshen,  New  York,  and  Mrs. I.  C.  Kiggins, 
of  Elizabeth. 


GROWTH. 


31 


CHAPTER  VI. 


GROWTH. 

ZTHE  Church  had  grown  in  strength  and  usefulness  and  was 
not  long  vacant.  A  congregational  meeting  was  held  Octo- 
ber 1 1,  i860,  for  the  election  of  a  pastor,  and  Rev.  Charles  Clark 
Wallace  of  Tremont,  New  York,  was  unanimously  chosen.  He 
was  received  by  Presbytery  October  29,  and  installed  on  the  even- 
ing of  that  day.  Rev.  Benjamin  Cory  presided.  Rev.  V. 
EeRoy  Lock  wood  of  Railway  preached  the  sermon  from  the  text, 
Isaiah  60:  i, — Arise,  shine;  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee.  Rev.  Edward  B.  Edgar  of 
Westfield  charged  the  pastor  and  Rev.  Gardiner  S.  Plumley  of 
Metuchen  the  people. 

Mr.  Wallace  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  June  3,  1832.  He 
prepared  for  college  at  Cornelius 
Institute,  entered  New  York 
University  in  1849,  taking  the 
full  course,  and  graduated  at 
Union  Seminary,  1856.  In  June 
of  that  year  he  was  ordained 
and  installed  by  the  presbytery 
of  New  York  as  pastor  at  Tre- 
mont where  he  had  done  mis- 
sionary work  during  his  semin- 
ary course.  There  he  remained 
until  coming  to  Perth  Amboy. 

The  first  act  of  this  new  pas- 
torate was  to  arouse  enthusiasm 


REV.  CHAS.  C.  WALLACE,  D.  D. 


32  PRESBYTER  I ANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

in  missions.  ' '  The  first  Monday  evening  of  each  month  was  set 
apart  as  a  season  for  engaging  in  the  concert  of  prayer  for  mis- 
sions," the  time  that  is  now  used  for  that  purpose.  Regular 
Sabbaths  were  designated  for  taking  collections  for  benevolent 
objects,  and  the  offering  on  communion  Sabbath  was  appropriated 
for  the  poor  and  the  expenses  of  the  session.  Inspired  by  Mr. 
Wallace's  fraternal  feeling  union  services  were  held  with  the  Bap- 
tist and  Methodist  Churches  in  observing  the  week  of  prayer, 
which  is  now  "the  custom.  A  precious  revival  stirred  the 
Church  in  1862,  twenty-two  persons  uniting  at  one  time.  A 
Church  manual  was  published  in  this  year,  giving  a  history  of 
the  Church  with  the  list  of  members  of  the  congregation.  The 
evening  Sabbath  service  was  begun  and  the  afternoon  service 
discontinued. 

In  December,  1863,  Mr.  Wallace  announced  his  resignation, 
that  he  might  accept  a  call  to  Placerville,  California.  This  was 
accepted  on  the  twenty-first  of  the  same  month,  presbytery  ac- 
quiesced on  the  twenty-ninth  and  on  Sunday,  January  3, 1863,  Mr. 
Wallace  preached  his  last  sermon  and  declared  the  pulpit  vacant. 

Dr.  Wallace,  (he  received  his  degree  from  Rutgers  College,) 
remained  in  California  until  1868.  After  a  short  pastorate  at 
Watertown,  N.  Y.,  he  was  called  to  Mahopac  Falls  in  1S71.  Here 
he  remained  for  ten  years.  He  then  received  a  call  to  the  his- 
toric Old  South  Church  of  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  which 
was  his  last  pastorate  and  which  he  resigned  in  1888  on  account 
of  failing  health.  One  year  was  passed  in  Florida  and,  returning 
to  New  England,  he  died  December  22,  1889.  He  is  buried  at 
Westfield,  New  Jersey.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Sutherland 
Bayley  of  Newbury, Vermont,  November  15,  i860,  who,  with  one 
daughter,  survives  him,  living  at  Newbury.  This  pastorate  was 
during  the  trying  years  of  the  Civil  War,  but  the  Church  was 
carried  successfully  through  the  crisis.  Dr.  Wallace  was  a  most 
efficient  worker,  a  sensible,  earnest  preacher,  faithful  pastor  and 
in  all  his  relations  a  Christian  gentleman.  He  was  a  frequent 
contributor  to  religious  magazines  and  journals.  In  1887  he  was 
elected  moderator  of  the  Synod  of  New  York. 

For  six  months  many  candidates  had  appeared  and  meetings 


GROWTH. 


33 


of  the  congregation  had  been  held,  but  no  unanimous  action  could 
had.  Rev.  James  A.  Little  of  the  Third  New  York  Presbytery 
was  invited  to  supply  the  Church  for  nine  months,  which  he  did, 
but  his  labors  were  so  successful  that  only  half  the  time  had 
elapsed  when  he  was  elected  pastor.  The  meeting  held  for  this 
purpose  was  on  March  23,  1865.  On  April  27  he  was  installed. 
Rev.  G.  S.  Plumley  of  Metuchen  presided  and  preached  the  ser- 
mon from  Ezra  7:  10, — For  Ezra  had  prepared  his  heart  to  seek 
the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  to  do  it,  and  to  teach  in  Israel  statutes 
and  judgments.  Rev.  G.  C.  Lucas  of  Woodbridge  gave  the 
charge  to  the  pastor  and  Rev.  E.  H.  Reinhart  the  charge  to  the 
people. 

James  Andrew  Little  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  20, 
1837;  graduated  from  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York,  1854 
and  Union  Theological  Seminary,  1859,  having  been  a  resident 
graduate  of  the  college  one  year  and  a  teacher  in  Wooster  street 
public  school  one  year.  For  two  years  he  supplied  pulpits  in 
New  York  City  and  vicinity  and  in  July,  1861,  he  became  stated 
supply  of  the  Church  at 
Canastota,  New  York,  having 
been  ordained  by  his  own  pres- 
bytery. Thence  he  came  to 
Perth  Amboy.  His  pastorate 
ended  the  last  Sabbath  in  May, 
1868,  and  on  March  27,  1869, 
he  entered  upon  his  long  and 
successful  pastorate  at  Hoken- 
dauqua,  Pennsylvania,  where 
his  bow  still  abides  in  strength. 
No  communion  service  has 
passed  without  additions  to 
the  roll  of  the  Church.  He 
has  a  united  congregation, 
happy  family  and  is  beloved 
by  the  people  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley.  He  received  the 
degree    of   doctor  of  divinity 


REV.    JAMES    A.    LITTLE,   D.   D. 


34  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

from  Lafayette  College  in  1887.  He  married  November  12,  1868, 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Cooper  of  New  York  City.  There  have  been 
born  to  them  two  sons,  James  E.  of  Harrisburg,  Pa. ,  and  John 
L.  of  Allentown,  Pa.,  and  three  daughters. 

During  Dr.  Little's  ministry  many  were  added  to  the 
Church.  The  parsonage  was  renovated  and  greatly  improved 
and  negotiations  were  begun  at  the  suggestion  of  William  Hall, 
who  for  sixteen  years  was  trustee  and  for  nearly  that  period 
Church  treasurer,  for  the  sale  of  the  Presbyterian  burying 
ground. 


EXPANSION. 


35 


CHAPTER  VII. 


EXPANSION. 

FOR  one  year  or  from  the  departure  of  Dr.  Little  the  pulpit  was 
supplied  by  Rev.  John  F.  Pingry,  Ph.D.,  of  Elizabeth,  New 
Jersey.  Dr.  Pingry  was  born  September  26,  1818,  at  Newbury- 
port,  Massachusetts.  He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1836, 
was  a  student  in  Union  Theological  Seminary,  1 840-1,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry,  June  28,  1842,  at  Fishkill,  New  York, 
where  he  was  pastor  four  years.      But  his  chief  work  was  that  of 

teaching,  in  which  he  made 
marked  success.  He  was 
principal  of  academies  in  Fish- 
kill,  Newark  and  Elizabeth, 
in  the  latter  city  extending 
from  1 86 1  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  February  16,  1894. 
However,  during  these  many 
years  he  preached  as  oppor- 
tunity offered  in  vacant 
churches,  and  when  he  went 
from  here  so  blessed  was  his 
work  that  the  Church  was 
united  and  ready  to  call  a 
permanent  pastor.  This  call 
was  extended  to  Rev.  Aaron 
Peck  at  a  meeting  held  July 
22,  1S69.  He  began  his  work 
in  December  of  that  year  and  was  installed  January  19,  1870. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Cory  presided;  Rev.  H.  h.  Teller  of  Plainfield 
preached  the   sermon   from   Pslam   96:   6, — Honor    and     majesty 


REV.   JOHN    I".    PINGRY 


36 


PRESBYTERIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


are  before  him;  strength  and  beauty  are  in  his  sanctuary.  The 
charge  to  the  pastor  was  given  by  Rev.  Everard  Kempshall,  D.D., 
of  Elizabeth,  and  the  charge  to  the  people  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Pingry, 
Ph.  D. 

Aaron  Peck  was  born  in  Orange,  New  Jersey,  June  7,  1836. 
His  preparatory  studies  for  college  were  under  the  supervision  of 

Rev.  D.  H.  Pierson,  D.  D.,  of 
Elizabeth.  His  college  was 
Princeton,  where  he  graduated 
in  the  class  of  '57.  While  a 
student  there  he  made  a  public 
confession  of  his  faith  in  the 
Roseville  Church,  near  New- 
ark, at  the  age  of  twenty.  In 
1858  he  entered  Princeton 
Seminary,  but  spent  the  next 
three  years  in  Union  Semin- 
ary where  he  graduated  in 
1864.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
presbytery  of  Newark,  April 
19,  1864,  and  spent  three 
years  as  district  secretary  of 
the  American  Sunday  School 
Union,  and  as  supply  of 
churches  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  at  the  expiration  of  which  service 
he  removed  to  Perth  Ambo}'. 

The  coming  of  Mr.  Peck  infused  new  life  into  the  congrega- 
tion and  started  it  upon  an  era  of  prosperity.  The  old  building 
which  had  stood  without  many  changes  for  almost  seventy  years, 
was  remodeled  and  made  more  comfortable.  The  lofty  spire  gave 
place  to  a  cupola,  and  an  organ  alcove  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit 
and  a  new  vestibule  at  the  entrance  were  built.  The  other 
changes  were  the  removal  of  the  gallery,  elevation  of  the  ceiling, 
decoration  of  the  walls,  replacing  of  the  old  windows  with 
stained  glass,  painting  the  outside  of  the  church  and  a 
furnace  taking  the  place  of  the  stoves.  A  pipe  organ  was 
also    bought,    new    hymn    books    were    introduced    and    a    pul- 


REV.   AARON    PECK. 


EXPANSION. 


37 


pit  and  chairs  donated.  The  cost  of  these  improvements 
amounted  to  ten  thousand  dollars.  To  defray  these  expenses  the 
manse  in  Rector  street  was  sold  for  three  thousand  dollars;  the 
burying  ground  on  State  street  for  one  thousand  dollars  and  the 
remainder  subscribed  or  provided  for  by  bond  and  mortgage. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  on  February  22,  1871,  the 
rotary  system  of  electing  elders  was  adopted  instead  of  an  active 


THE    CHURCH    AND    CHAPEL,    1870. 

service  for  life,  and  the  elders  are  now  chosen  for  a  term  of  five 
years.  The  time  of  celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper  was  changed 
from  the  first  to  the  second  Sunday  of  January,  April,  July 
and  October,  which  is  the  time  now  set  apart  for  the  celebration 


38  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

of  the  sacrament.  The  next  important  change  was  in  the  finan- 
cial affairs  of  the  Church.  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  in 
1873  it  was  decided  to  dispense  with  pew  rentals  and  depend  upon 
the  pledged  monthly  collections.  To  each  family  a  pew  was 
assigned  by  the  trustees.  This  plan  continued  until  1900.  Dur- 
ing the  pastorate  sixty  persons  were  received  into  membership; 
and  in  an  historical  sermon  preached  in  July,  1876,  which  was 
printed,  Mr.  Peck  gave  this  interesting  statement: 

' '  To-day  the  Church  is  better  temporally  and  spiritually 
than  in  days  gone  by.  There  never  has  been  a  time  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Church  when  there  was  truly  less  defection  in  Christ- 
ian life  than  now.  Never  a  time,  when,  if  the  memory  of  those 
who  knew  the  Church  in  its  childhood  and  youth  be  not  faulty, 
the  congregations  were  larger,  or  its  benefactions  more  num- 
erous. 

In  1870  the  present  Board  of  Education  was  constituted 
with  Mr.  Peck  as  president,  in  whice  office  he  served  for  six 
years,  and  the  first  public  school  building  in  our  city  was  erected, 
the  schools  using  heretofore  the  City  Hall  for  that  purpose. 

In  the  fall  of  1874  on  account  of  ill  health  Mr.  Peck  re- 
signed, but  this  the  congregativn  refused  to  accept.  A  six 
months'  vacation  was  granted,  with  Rev.  S.  C.  Hay  of  Wood- 
stock, Illinois,  as  a  supply.  At  another  time  the  pulpit  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  James  G.  Patterson,  D.  D.,  of  NewT  York  City. 
On  September  2,  1877,  his  resignation  was  again  offered  and  ac- 
cepted in  October.  From  October  14,  1878,  to  November  2,  1881, 
Mr.  Peck  was  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  Williamsburg,  Brook- 
lyn, New  York.  In  October,  1883,  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
New  York  City,  where  he  did  efficient  wrork  in  the  missions  for 
the  lowly  and  suffering.  He  died  July  3,  1901.  On  June  16, 
1859,  Mr.  Peck  married  Miss  Julia  Manning,  who  with  one 
daughter  survives  him. 

On  December  1,  1878,  Rev.  Norman  W.  Cary  became  the 
stated  supply  of  the  Church  and  continued  in  this  relation  until 
April,  1880.  Mr.  Cary  is  a  native  of  New7  York  City.  He  was 
a  student  at  Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Yale  College,  (class  of 
1870,)  and  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  (class  of  1873). 
His      license     came     from     the     presbytery     of     Philadelphia, 


EXPANSION. 


39 


t»72,  and  the  next  year  by  the  same  presbytery  he  was  ordained. 
Mr.  Cary  came  to  this  Church  from  Bismarck,  North  Dakota, 
and  after  his  faithful  service 
here  he  accepted  a  call  to  Still- 
water, Minnesota.  He  has 
been  also  pastor  at  Grand 
Forks,  North  Dakota  and 
Moorhead,  Minnesota;  profes- 
sor at  Fargo,  North  Dakota, 
Wilson  College,  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  Michigan  Military 
Academy.  He  is  at  present 
secretary  of  the  Wayne  Coun- 
ty Sabbath  School  Association 
of  Michigan  and  actuary  of 
the  Citizens'  Life  Insurance 
Company  with  a  residence 
in  Detroit.  Mr.  Cary  married 
Miss  Hannah  S.  Craig,  July 
20,  1885. 

The  next  year  after  he  came  to  the  Church  a  revival — one 
of  the  greatest  in  our  history — stirred  the  city  and  as  a  result 
thirty-one  persons  united  at  one  communion  season. 

In  July,  1880,  Rev.  David  Stevenson,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  pas- 
tor. Dr.  Stevenson  was  born  in  Newry,  County  Down,  Ireland, 
in  1820  and  came  to  this  country  when  quite  young,  residing  at 
Cambridge,  New  York,  where  he  united  with  the  church.  He 
spent  two  years  at  Princeton  College  in  the  class  of  '47  and  was 
a  student  in  Princeton  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  by  the  pres- 
bytery of  Elizabethtowm  April  18,  1850,  and  ordained  an  evangel- 
ist by  the  presbytery  of  Indianapolis,  June  11,  1851.  He  resided 
in  Indiana  until  1877,  being  pastor  of  the  following  churches  in 
that  state:  Knightstown,  185 1-2;  Third,  Indianapolis,  1852-60; 
Union,  1862-3;  Eighth,  Indianapolis,  1871-2.  He  was  librarian  of 
the  state  for  two  vears  and  in  1864  published  "  Indiana's  Roll  of 
Honor  and  Patriotic  Dead."  He  removed  to  Branchville,  N.  J., 
where  he  was  pastor  from  January  1,  1878,  until  1880,    when   he 


REV.    NORMAN   W.   CARY. 


4° 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY 


accepted  the  call  to  the  church  at  Perth  Amboy.  Dr.  Stevenson 
was  installed  October  15,  1880,  Rev.  E.  Kempshall,  D.  D.,  pre- 
sided and  gave  the  charge  to 
the  people.  Rev.  J.  G.  Mason, 
D.  D.,  the  charge  to  the  pas- 
tor and  Rev.  John  Ewing 
preached  the  sermon.  His 
pastorate  of  this  Church  con- 
tinued for  four  years,  or  until 
October,  1884,  and  these  years 
are  lovingly  remembered  by 
all  who  were  in  connection 
with  the  Church  at  that  time. 
He  was  a  perfect  gentleman 
and  manly  man  through  and 
through,  ever  charactized  by 
true  courtesy.  His  grasp  of 
gospel  truth  was  very  clear 
and  his  method  of  putting  it 
enegetic,  masterful  and 
eloquent.  His  direct  and  earnest  style  and  persuasive  tone, 
brought  him  into  close  sympathy  with  his  hearers  and  made  his 
preaching  highly  effective,  and  the  result  was  seen  in  the  conver- 
sion of  many  souls. 

The  churches  which  Dr.  Stevenson  afterward  served  were, 
the  First,  Williamsburg,  Brooklyn,  from  1884  to  1886  and 
Gloucester,  N.  J.,  from  1889  to  July,  1895,  when  he  was  honora- 
bly retired  from  the  active  work  of  the  ministry.  He  was  much 
beloved  by  his  brother  ministers  and  was  conscientious  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  as  a  presbyter.  As  a  commissioner  he  rep- 
resented his  presbyteries  in  the  general  assemblies  of  Charleston, 
1852;  New  Orleans,  1858;  Indianapolis,  1859  and  Saratoga 
Springs,  1890.  He  died  October  25,  1901.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried,— September  15,  185 1,  in  Indianapolis  to  Miss  Mary  P. 
Alvord  who  died  in  1868;  and  in  Perth  Amboy,  December  6, 
1887,  to  Miss  Adele  Manning.  Dr.  Stevenson  returned  to  this 
city  in  1899  and  was  most  usefnl  in  teaching  the  children  in   our 


REV.   DAVID  STEVENSON,   D 


EXPANSION. 


41 


Sabbath  school  and  instrumental  in  enlarging  the  chapel  at 
Bonhamtown.  During  his  pastorate  he  was  superintendent  of 
schools  and  did  much  to  advance  the  standard  of  teaching. 

Many  candidates  appeared  for  the  vacant  pulpit  but  it  was 
not  until  June  22,  1886,  that  a  final  decision  was  reached,  which 
was  a  most  fortunate  one  for  the  Church  in  a  call  made  to  Rev. 
James  H.  Owens,  who  was  at  the  time  pastor  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  of  Bushnell,  Illinois.  He  was  installed  Thurs- 
day evening,  August  12,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  B. 
S.  Everitt  of  Jamesburg.  Rev.  J.  A.  Laggett,  D.  D.,  gave  the 
charge  to  the  pastor  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Mason,  D.  D.,  the  charge  to 
the  people. 

This  pastorate  was  greatly  blessed  in  the  large  additions  to 
the  membership,  two  hundred  and  twenty  six  persons  having 
been  received  in  eight  years.  The  old  Sunday  school  room  which 
had  done  service  for  nearly  half-a-century  gave  place  to  the  pres- 
ent chapel  which  was  erected  in  1891.  The  year  following  an 
addition  was  made  to  the  chapel,  a  new  furnace  bought,  water 
motor  attached  to  the  organ, 
roof  repaired,  church  painted, 
opera  chairs  instead  of  the 
pews  placed  in  the  church,  the 
wall  re-decorated  and  new 
carpet  laid,  the  whole  cost  be- 
ing $4,000.  A  manse  was 
built  on  High  street  in  1887. 
The  Christian  Endeavor  So- 
ciety was  organized,  the  For- 
eign Missionary  Society 
brought  to  life  again  and  mis- 
sion  work  inaugurated  at  First 
and  Washington  streets.  In 
1892  Rev.  Wilbur  F.  Chap- 
man, D.  D. ,  conducted  Evan- 
gelistic services  with  re- 
sults of  great  value  to  the 
Church. 


REV     JAMES    H.    OWENS. 


THE  MANSE,    1887-1901. 


EXPANSION. 


43 


Mr.  Owens'  ill  health  compelled  him  to  go  South  in  the 
winter  of  1892-3,  the  Church  readily  giving  him  a  vacation;  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  E.  A.  Holdridge.  To  the  regret 
of  the  congregation  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  East  Side  Church 
of  Paterson,  N.  J.,  in  1894  and  the  relations  which  had  existed  so 
pleasantly  were  dissolved  in  February  of  that  year.  Mr.  Owens 
was  born  at  Hyde  Park,  N.  Y.,  and  at  thirteen  yearsof  age  united 
with  the  First  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y.  He 
graduated  at  Rutgers  College  and  New  Brunswick  Theological 
Seminar}-,  was  ordained  by  the  classisof  Passaic  and  settled  at  Fair- 
field, N.J. ,  from  which  church  he  was  called  to  Bushnell.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Letitia  Van  Nuis  of  Jamesburg.  The  church  was  sup- 
plied after  Mr.  Owens'  retirement  and  until  the  election  of  a  pastor 
by  Rev.  W.  A.  Rice,  D.  D. ,  Secretary  of  the  American  Tract  Society. 

On  May  3,  1894,  Rev.  George  B.  Van  Dyke  of  Watertown, 
New  York,  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and  installed  July  17. 
Rev.  J.  A.  Blauvelt,  D.D.,  presided  and  preached  the  sermon. 
Rev.  George  Swain,  D.D.,  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  and 
Rev.  James  H.  Owens  the  charge  to  the  people.  Mr.  Van  Dyke 
was  born  at  Bloomsbury,  New  Jersey,  but  his  parents  soon  after 
moved  to  Cranbury,  where  his 
father,  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Van 
Dyke,  was  pastor  of  the  Sec- 
ond church.  He  graduated 
from  Princeton  College,  1888, 
and  after  teaching  a  year  en- 
tered Princeton  Seminary, 
graduating  in  1892.  He  was 
ordained  by  the  presbytery  of 
Monmouth,  May  12,  and  on 
June  1,  took  charge  of  the 
work  in  Hope  chapel,  Water- 
town,  a  mission  of  the  First 
church,  where  he  remained 
until  his  removal  to  this  city. 

The  mission   work  in  the 
Washington  street  district  was  REV.  GEORGE  b.  van  dyke. 


44  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

transferred  to  a  building  on  Smith  street.  Mr.  Van  Dyke  promoted 
the  sabbath  school  work  and  was  instrumental  in  opening  a  Sun- 
day school  at  Keasbey  which  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
The  mission  at  Washington  and  First  streets  was  removed  to 
Smith  street,  near  Prospect,  where  the  services  were  largely  at- 
tended, but  in  1898,  it  was  combined  with  the  church  school.  On 
February  9,  1898,  the  congregation  accepted  Mr.  Van  Dyke's  res- 
ignation that  he  in  turn  might  accept  a  call  to  the  church  at  Ham- 
monton,  N.  J.  In  December,  1899,  he  removed  to  Lowville,  N. 
Y.  He  was  married  September  14,  1899,  to  Miss  Mary  E.. 
daughter  of  Rev.  George  Swain,  D.  D.,  of  Allentown,  N.  J. 
After  Mr.  Van  Dyke's  removal  the  church  was  supplied  for  a 
year  by  Rev.  Henry  Ketcham,  of  Westfield,  N.J. 


ARISE     AND     BUII.D.  45 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Arise  and  Build. 
77  HE  twentieth  century  found  the  village  of  Perth  Amboy  with 

its  seven  hundred  people  expanded  into  a  city  of  twenty 
thousand  inhabitants.  The  tiny  seed  planted  one  hundred  years 
ago,  had  grown  into  a  great  tree.  The  great  grandchildren  of 
the  founders  of  this  organization  greeted  the  new  century  with  the 
same  faith  and  confidence  that  inspired  their  parents  in  the  misty- 
past.  The  needs  of  the  growing  population  demanded  a  building 
larger  and  better  suited  to  modern  church  work;  and  the  voice  of 
Nehemiah  was  heard. — The  God  of  heaven,  he  will  prosper  us; 
therefore,  we  his  servants  will  arise  and  build. 

On  January  10,  1900,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held 
to  consider  the  whole  question  of  building  and  at  its  close  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  the  elders  and  trustees,  was  appointed  as  a 
ways  and  means  committee  to  determine  what  action  could  be  best 
taken  that  would  increase  the  accommodations  of  the  church. 
Charles  D.  Snedeker  was  appointed  chairman  and  Wilbur  LaRoe, 
secretary.  In  March  at  another  meeting  of  the  congregation,  it 
was  decided  to  erect  a  new  building,  and  in  pursuance  of  this  deci- 
sion this  committee  was  authorized  to  purchase  the  lot  at  the  south- 
east corner  of  Market  Square  for  $4,500,  which  was  done.  The 
different  societies  and  members  of  the  church  entered  heartily  into 
this  movement,  secured  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  to  make  the 
first  payment  on  the  lot,  and  committees  were  appointed  at  later 
meetings  to  secure  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  $10,000  at  least 
for  a  new  church,  and  invite  designs  from  architects.  A.F.Leicht's 
plans  were  adopted,  and  contracts  were  made  for  the  construction 
of  a  building  to  cost  $20,225.  The  building  committee  was  chosen 
consisting  of   John    H.    Gregory,   Edward   W.    Barnes,  John    J. 

Errata — For  1900,  read  1901. 


46 


PRESBYTERIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


Deitche  and  C.  D.  Snedeker,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
The  parsonage  and  the  old  church  were  sold,  the  latter 
now  being  used  for  dwelling  houses  on  Catalpa  avenue  ;  an  ad- 
ditional lot  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Market  and  Rector  streets 


CHAPEL,    ERECTED    1891. 

was  bought  for  $1,500,  the  church  then  coining  into  possession  of 
the  entire  property  bounded  by  the  Market  Square,  Market  and 
Rector  streets. 

Ground  was  broken  for  the  new  church  on  Tuesday,  Novem- 
ber 20.  Preliminary  exercises  were  held  in  the  old  building,  with 
prayer  by  Rev.  H.  G.  Mendenhall,  and  an  address  by  Rev.  J.  H. 


ARISE     AND    BUILD.  47 

Owens.  The  congregation  then  gathered  on  the  vacant  lot  where 
our  new  sanctuary  stands  and  the  first  shovelful  of  earth  was 
lifted  by  the  pastor,  followed  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Owens.  Then  follow- 
ing in  order  were  the  three  members  of  the  church  who  had  been 
in  connection  with  the  organization  for  fifty  years  and  longer, 
Elder  C.  C.  Pierson,  Mrs.  Frances  W.  Coutts  (represented  by 
Miss  M.  C.  Hight)  and  Mrs.  Ellen  Sneath  (represented  by  Mrs. 
Herbert  Dayton),  Edward  W.  Barnes  for  the  Sunday  School, 
Charles  D.  Snedeker  for  the  trustees,  Adrian  Lyon  for  the 
session,  Miss  A.  E.VanNuis  for  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society, 
Mrs.  A.  C.  Mount  for  the  Home  Missionary  Society, 
Mrs.  S.  C.  Conipton  for  the  Ladies'  Mite  Society,  Mrs.  E.  W. 
Barnes  for  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  William  W.  Henry  for  the 
Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  Miss  Ella  Ram- 
say for  the  Junior  Endeavor  Society,  John  A.  Banner  for  the 
Westminster  Cadets,  Mrs.  James  Chalmers  for  the  Choir  and  C. 
Lee  Straub  for  the  ushers. 

The  cornerstone  of  the  new  building  was  laid  Saturday,  April 
12, 1902, with  the  following  order  of  service  :  Hymn,  Christ  isour 
Corner  Scone  ;  Scripture  Reading,  Rev.  R.  White  ;  Prayer,  Rev. 
A.  W.  Sproull,  D.  D. ;  Hymn  by  the  Junior  Endeavor  Society; 
Addresses  by  Hon.  Charles  Keen  Seaman,  Mayor  ;  Rev.  S. 
Trevena  Jackson,  Pastor  Simpson  M.  E.  Church  ;  Rev.  Percy 
R.  Ferris,  Pastor  Baptist  Church  ;  Rev.  Andrew  Hanson,  Pastor 
Danish  M.  E.  Church  ;  Hymn,  Blest  be  the.  tie  that  binds  ;  Ad- 
dress, Rev.  Henry  Elliott  Mott,  D.  D.,  Moderator  Elizabeth 
Presbytery  ;  Reading  List  of  Articles  Deposited  in  the  Corner 
Stone,  Hon.  Adrian  Lyon;  Laying  the  Stone,  by  Rev.  H.  G. 
Mendenhall,  D.  D. ;  Hymn,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  whose  glory  fills; 
Benediction,  Rev.  J.  M.  McNulty,  D.  D.  A  silver  trowel  used 
in  laying  the  corner  stone  was  presented  by  Architect  Leicht  to 
the  Church.     The  list  of  articles  placed  in  the  box  is  as  follows  : 

Bible,  roll  of  Church,  Sabbath  school  and  officers,  of- 
ficers of  the  Church,  Women's  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, Women's  Home  Missionary  Society,  Ladies'  Mite 
Society,  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  C.  E.  Society,  Junior  C.  E. 
Society,   Westminster  Cadets,   Men's  League  ;  topic  cards  of  C. 


48  PRKSBYTERIANISM    IN    PKRTH    AMBOY. 

E.  and  Junior  C.  E. ;  program  Women's  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety for  1 901 -2  ;  copies  daily  Chronicle  and  Republican  of  April 
1 1  ;  photographs  of  the  old  church  and  chapel,  two  inside  and 
one  outside  ;  account  of  breaking  ground  for  new  church  in 
Chronicle  of  November  20  ;  sermon  on  President  McKinley  by 
the  pastor  ;  annual  Church  report  for  1902  ;  program  of  corner 
stone  laying  ;  Presbyterian  hand  book  for  1902  ;  history  of  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Perth  Amboy  by  Rev.  Aaron  Peck,  1876  ; 
first  record  of  the  Church  organization  ;  coins  of  1901  and  1902  ; 
Presbyterian  papers,  Banner,  Presbyterian,  Herald  and  Presbyter, 
Interior,  Evangelist  and  Observer ;  New  York  Times,  Herald, 
Tribune,  Sun;  Shorter  Catechism;  Presbyterian  publications,  As- 
sembly Herald,  Women's  Work  for  Women,  Home  Mission  Month- 
ly, Session  Helps;  Middlesex  Sunday  School  Association  minutes. 

The  church  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  ceremonies  on 
Sunday,  January  25,  1903,  the  centennial  anniversary  exercises 
continuing  during  the  week. 

The  church  is  constructed  on  the  lines  of  the  old  English 
Gothic  style,  with  a  stately  tower  on  one  corner  and  two 
small  towers,  one  on  each  side  of  the  building,  with  large 
gables  fronting  on  Market  street  and  the  Park.  The  entrance 
to  the  main  auditorium  is  through  all  three  towers.  The  build- 
ing is  78  feet  wide  and  about  115  feet  long  on  the  outside,  and  is 
constructed  of  Stockton  Peach  Blossom  granite,  from  the  Stock- 
ton quarries,  located  in  the  western  part  of  New  Jersey. 

The  main  auditorium  is  a  perfect  circle,  64  feet  in  diameter, 
with  seating  capacity  of  520  persons.  The  pulpit  platform  and 
organ  loft  are  circular  and  beautifully  paneled.  On  the  same 
floor  are  located  pastor's  study,  ladies'  parlors,  and  choir 
rooms  with  all  the  necessary  conveniences.  The  ceiling  of 
the  auditorium  is  constructed  of  an  open  truss  and  paneled  in 
hard  wood,  with  ventilator  in  the  centre.  This  church  is  one  of 
the  most  modern  and  comfortable  meeting  houses  in  the  State 
of  New  Jersey.  It  is  lighted  throughout  with  electricity, 
and  has  a  perfect  steam  heating  plant  located  in  the  cellar,  which 
will  be  sufficient  to  make  the  church  comfortable  in  the  coldest 
weather,  and  is  well  ventilated  for  warm  weather.  Above  the 
main  vestibule  in  the  large  tower  is  located  a  room  for  the  meet- 
insrs  of  the  board  of  trustees. 


INTERIOR    OF    CHURCH,     1869-1891. 


INTERIOR    OF   CHURCH,     1891-1901. 


5Q 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY 


THE    CHURCH    AND    CHAPEL,     1891-19OI, 


EDUCATION. 

The  history  of  Presbyterianism  in  Perth  Amboy  can  not  be 
closed  without  recalling  the  fact  that  in  the  matter  of  education  our 
church  and  ministry  have  had  much  to  do.  The  first  pastors  were 
also  principals  of  academies,  and  their  positions  were  taken,  as  the 
city  grew,  by  others  who  were  members  of  the  congregation. 
Rev.  Job  Halsey,  D.  D.,  in  1836,  established  a  Ladies'  Seminary 
in  the  building  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Market  and  Water 


ARISE    AND    BUILD.  5 1 

streets,  and  in  1846,  Rev.  Luther  Halsey  was  associated  with 
him.  Students  from  distant  places  in  our  land  and  the  West 
Indies  made  this  school  very  popular.  In  1869  the  Raritan  Fe- 
male Seminary  was  opened  in  the  building  at  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  Water  and  Market  streets  by  Misses  Marianne  and  Jennie 
F.  Manning,  assisted  later  by  Miss  Adele  Manning.  This  was  also 
prosperous  and  continued  for  twenty-seven  years.  An  academy 
for  boys  was  opened  in  1835,  by  Mr.  Stephen  G.  Woodbridge, 
and  this  was  in  successful  operation  for  nearly  thirty  years. 

A  library  was  established  very  early  in  the  history  of  this 
church.  Its  books  were  of  a  high  character  and  for  a  long  time 
it  was  popular  and  extensively  patronized.  In  1861  the  books 
were  sold.  In  1888,  Mrs.  Annie  Bower  Hesser,  who  was  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Westminster  Home,  called  a  meeting  of  women  from 
all  the  churches  to  discuss  the  founding  of  a  public  library.  This 
meeting  began  a  work  which  developed  into  a  library  association, 
from  which  has  come  the  present  Perth  Amboy  Public  Library 
and  the  Carnegie  Library  building. 

The  Westminster  Home  is  the  government  building,  dating 
back  to  1762,  and  was  the  residence,  in  1776,  of  Governor  William 
Franklin.  It  was  given  in  1883,  to  the  Board  of  Ministers'  Relief 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  by  Dr.  Alexander  Bruen,  son 
of  Matthias  Bruen,  as  a  home  for  retired  Presbyterian  clergymen, 
their  widows  and  children.  It  has  had  as  its  guests  many  men 
and  women  who  have  done  valiant  service  for  Christ,  in  our  own 
land,  and  foreign  fields.  They  have  been  helpful  in  the  work  of 
the  local  church,  as  well  as  a  blessing  to  the  city. 

MEMBERSHIP  FOR  HALF  A  CENTURY. 

This  volume  must  not  end  without  a  record  of  our  mem- 
bers whose  names  have  been  on  our  roll  for  fifty  years  and  more. 
The  first  in  service  was  Mrs.  Frances  H.  Coutts,  who  died  during 
the  preparation  of  this  history,  December  5,  1902.  Her  maid- 
en name  was  Frances  H.  Wheaton.  She  was  born  in  this  city, 
December  23,  1820,  and  united  with  the  church  in  1834,  her 
membership  extending  through  sixty-eight  years.  She  was 
married  in  1840,  to  George  M.  Coutts. 


52 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


Mrs.  Eleanor  Sneath  has  been  a  member  for  fifty-nine  years. 
She  was  enrolled  in  1843.  Her  birth  place  was  Perth  Amboy, 
and  the  time,  1821.  Her  maiden  name  was  Eleanor  Wood.  She 
was  married  to  John  W.  Sneath  in  1846. 

Caleb  C.  Pierson.     See  page  53. 

Mrs.  James  Wait's  membership  covers  fifty-one  years.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Emma  Hughes,  and  she  was  married  in  1848. 

Mrs.  Emma  Compton  united  with  the  church  in  1853.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Emma  Disosway,  and  she  was  married  in  1846, 
to  George  Alfred  Compton. 

OUR    FOREIGN    MISSIONARY. 

This  church  is  honored 
in  having  one  of  its  members 
enrolled  as  a  foreign  mission- 
ary in  far-off  India — Miss 
Emma  Morris.  Miss  Morris, 
daughter  of  Frank  B.  and 
Emma  Girvan  Morris,  was 
born  in  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa., 
where  she  became  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
She  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  her  native 
city  and  Miss  Gertrude 
Smith's  Seminary,  in  Perth 
Amboy.  She  became  a  raem- 
miss  Emma  morris.  ber   of   this  church    in   1886, 

and  in  1892  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  a  missionary  teacher 
in  India.  For  five  years  she  labored  at  Eodiana,  and  for  two 
years  was  a  teacher  in  the  Woodstock  School.  She  then 
returned  to  her  home  land  on  a  furlough  for  one  year,  but,  in 
1901.  was  back  again  in  India.  Her  present  station  is  Jagraon, 
Punjab,  where  she  is  engaged  in  Zenana  Work. 


ARISE    AND    BUILD.  53 

OFFICERS    OF   THE    CHURCH. — THE   SESSION. 

The  pastor,  Harlan  G.  Mendenhall,  D.  D.,  is  a  native  of 
Coatesville,  Penn.  He  was  educated  at  Williston  Seminary, 
Lafayette  College  and  Western  Theological  Seminary;  licensed 
by  the  presbytery  of  Chester,  and  ordained  by  the  presbytery  of 
Fort  Wayne.  He  came  to  this  church  from  the  First  Church 
of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  March,  1900,  but  was  not  installed  until 
May  9,  1 90 1.  At  that  service,  Rev.  J.  G.  Mason,  D.  D.,  of 
Metuchen,  presided  ;  Rev.  W.  R.  Richards,  D.  D.,  of  Plainfield, 
preached  the  sermon;  Rev.  W.  A.  Rice,  D.  D.,  of  Newark, 
gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  ;  and  Rev.  E.  B.  Cobb,  D.  D.,  of 
Elizabeth,  the  charge  to  the  people. 

Caleb  C.  Pierson  has  been  a  member  of  this  church  for 
fifty-two  years.  He  united  on  profession  of  his  faith  with  the 
Montclair  Church  in  1843,  and  transferred  his  membership  to 
Perth  Amboy  in  1850.  In  1855,  he  was  elected  elder  and  has 
served  continuously  for  forty-seven  years.  In  1858,  he  was 
elected  trustee,  and  served  as  such  for  sixteen  years. 

Edward  W.  Barnes  united  with  this  church  on  certificate 
from  the  church  in  Tamaqua,  Pa.,  in  1865.  In  187 1,  he  was 
elected  elder  and  clerk  of  session.  He  continued  to  act  as  clerk 
for  twenty-eight  years.  In  1878  he  became  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  School.  He  was  mayor  of  this  city  in  1894-6.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board  in   189 1-4. 

Adrian  Lyon  united  with  this  church  in  1888,  on  certificate 
from  the  church  of  Pluckemin,  N.  J.  He  was  chosen  elder  in 
1898,  and  clerk  in  1899.  Mr.  Lyon  is  also  assistant  general 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School.  He  was  superintendent 
of  public  schools  in  Perth  Amboy,  in  1894-5  >  member  of  the 
legislature  in  the  sessions  of  1900  and  1901;  and  appointed  judge 
of  the  first  district  court  of  Perth  Amboy,  1901. 

Samuel  E.  Shull  transferred  his  membership  from  ^he 
church  of  South  Easton,  Pa.,  in  1895,  and  was  elected  elder  in 
1898.  Mr.  Shull  has  been  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  this 
city  since  1895,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Public  Library  Board. 


CALEB  .('.  PIEBSON. 


SAMUEL  E.  SHUliL. 


ADRIAN    LYON. 


WILBUR  I.  IROE. 


EDWARD  W.  BARNES. 


CHARLES  1>.  SNEDEKER. 


John  .r.  deitche. 


HENRY    PETTV. 


JOHN  H.  GREGORY. 


C.  DOUGLAS  ERASER. 


ARISE    AND    BUILD.  55 

TRUSTEES. 

John  J.  Deitche  became  a  resident  of  Perth  Amboy  in  1867, 
bnt  his  membership  in  this  church  did  not  begin  until  1879, 
when  he  was  received  by  letter  from  the  church  of  Metuchen. 
That  year  he  was  elected  a  trustee  and  has  served  continuously 
since  that  time.  Mr.  Deitche  is  superintendent  of  the  Inter- 
mediate department  of  the  Sunday-school.  In  1896-7  he  was  an 
alderman  of  the  city.  He  is  engaged  in  the  retail  and  wholesale 
grocery  business. 

C.  Douglas  Fraser  united  with  the  church  on  profession  of  faith 
in  1889.  He  was  elected  trustee  in  1900.  Mr.  Fraser  is  Over- 
seer of   the  Silver  Refinery  of  the  American  Smelting  Company. 

John  H.  Gregory  was  received  into  membership  on  certificate 
from  the  church  of  Red  Bank  in  1888.  He  was  elected  trustee 
in  1900.  Mr.  Gregory's  business  is  that  of  wrecker  and  dealer 
in  vessels. 

Wilbur  LaRoe  became  a  member  of  the  church  is  1889  on  a 
certificate  from  the  church  of  Westfield.  He  was  elected  trustee 
in  1899.  Mr.  LaRoe  is  assistant  Editor  and  Manager  of  the 
daily  "Chronicle." 

Henry  Petty  united  with  the  church  on  profession  of  faith  in 
1892.  He  was  chosen  trustee  in  1894.  Mr.  Petty  is  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Petty  &  Applegate. 

Charles  D.  Snedeker  became  a  member  of  the  organization  in 
1895  on  certificate  from  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  He  was  elected  trustee  in  1899.  Mr. 
Snedeker  is  a  member  of  the  Public  Library  Board  and  is  sec- 
retary and  treasurer  of  the   Perth    Amboy  Dry  Dock  Company. 

Samuel  S.  Shull  was  elected  trustee  in   1900. 

SPECIAL   GIFTS    AND    MEMORIALS. 

In  addition  to  the  large  and  generous  gifts  of  individuals  and 
socities,  the  following  special  gifts  have  been  made  to  the  new 
church : 

Desk  for  pastor's  study  by  Ladies'  Mite  Society. 
Carpet  for  church  and  study  by  Ladies'   Auxiliary. 
Collection  plates  by  Mrs.  Charles  D.  Snedeker  and  Mrs.  John  J. 
Davison. 


56  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

Pulpit  furniture  by  Adrian  Lyon. 

Pulpit  cloth  and  Bible  marker  by  Miss  Bertha  M.  Mitchell. 

Hymn  board  and  chairs  for  communion  table  by  Mrs.  Ella  Men- 
denhall  Baldwin  and  Howard  L.  Mendenhall. 

Two  collection  plates  by  Edward  W.  Barnes. 

Table  for  platform  by  the  Junior  class  of  the  Sunday  school  in 
memory  of  their  teacher,  Rev.  David  Stevenson,  D.  D. 

Communion  table  by  Misses  Emma  and  Mary  Morris  and  Mrs. 
Lindsay  Morris  Stirling,  in  memory  of  their  father,  Frank 
B.  Morris,  for  thirteen  years  a  trustee  of  this  church  and 
for  many  years  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school. 

Collection  plate  by  Mrs.  Amelia  G.  Hadden  in  memory  of  her 
husband,  Cornelius  Hadden,  a  trustee  for  ten  years  and  an 
elder  for  twenty-seven  years. 

Collection  plate  by  Mrs.  Georgia  Mitchell  Watson,  in  mem- 
ory of  her  mother,  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  Mitchell,  a  member  of 
this  church,  1879-1900. 

Baptismal  Font  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  W.  Lupton,  in  memory 
of  their  children,  Carrie  May  and  Edna  M. 

Memorial  window  by  Mrs.  Julia  Peck,  in  memory  of  her  hus- 
band, Rev.  Aaron  Peck,  pastor  of  this  church  1869- 1877. 
This  window  pictures  the  miracle  recorded  in  Luke  5:  1-11 
— the  draught  of  fishes.  In  the  foreground  are  Peter  and 
James  toiling  at  the  breaking  net  ;  John  stands  behind  them. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  ship  is  Christ,  who  speaks  to 
Peter  the  precious  words — Fear  not  ;  from  henceforth  thou 
shalt  catch  men. 


ADDENDA. 


EARLY  DOCUMENTS. 

RECORD  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  MEETING. 

Perth  Amboy,  Jan'y  23,  1804. 

The  following  persons,  viz.  Elias  Riggs,  minister,  and  John 
Angus,  David  Wait  and  John  Lewis,  who  had  been  previousl)- 
chosen,  and  set  apart  by  prayer,  to  the  office  of  Ruling  Elders  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  place,  met  by  agreement,  at  the 
house  of  John  Angus  and  constituted  a  Session.  Began  with 
prayer.  ' 

The  Session  thought  proper  to  begin  their  minutes  with  a  his- 
torical account  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  church.  The  fol- 
lowing, drawn  up  by  Mr.  Riggs,  being  deemed  as  full  and  satis- 
factory as  can  be  obtained,  was  ordered  to  be  inserted. 

[Here  follows  the  history  already  printed  elsewhere.] 

On  the  27th  of  August,  agreeably  to  previous  notice  such  per- 
sons as  had  been  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  met  to- 
gether in  the  house  of  God,  and  there,  as  in  His  presence,  sub- 
scribed the  following  covenant: 

"We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  professing  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  having  for- 
merly, according  to  this  our  faith,  publicly  dedicated  ourselves  to 
God, and  connected  ourselves  with  his  professing  people, being  now 
removed  to  an  inconvenient  distance  from  our  former  christian 
connections,  and  still  desirous,  in  this  place,  as  in  every  place 
where  the  Lord  may  cast  our  lot,  of  enjoying  the  privilege  of 
christian  fellowship  and  of  testifying  our  attachment  to  our 
Lord,  by  waiting  upon  him  in  the  ordinances  of  his  appointment, 
in  a  regular  manner,  do  solemnly  engage  to  unite  together  for 
these  good  purposes,  mutually  to  watch  over  and  mutually  to 
submit  ourselves  under  Christ,  to  the  watch  and  guardianship  of 
one  another,  hoping  and  praying,  that,   in    due   time,    under   the 


58  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

divine  blessing,  we  may  be  more  fully  organized  and  built  up  to- 
gether a  holy  church  of  God." 

John  Angus,  Elizabeth  Coddington, 

Margaret  Clark,  Phebe  Harriott, 

Margaretta  Clark,  Rachel  Friend. 

Mr.  Jno.  Lewis,  who  was  unexpectedly  prevented  from  at- 
tending this  meeting,  assented  to  the  covenant  and  subscribed 
his  name  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day. 

Lord's  day,  August  28,  1803.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  celebrated.  This  was  ye  first  time,  so  far  as  we 
know,  that  this  holy  ordinance  was  ever  observed  in  Amboy, 
after  the  Presbyterian  manner. 

On  this  day  Mr.  David  Wait  joined  himself  to  our  little  flock. 
Mrs.  Susanna  Thomson,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Church,  was  received  to  communion  with  us. 

Lord's  day  Jan'y  22,  1804.  Messrs.  John  Angus,  David 
Wait  and  John  Lewis  were  solemnly  set  apart  by  prayer,  to  the 
office  of  ruling  elders  in  this  church,  and  on  the  following  even- 
ing entered  upon  their  office  as  above  related.  Concluded  with 
prayer.  — 

THE  OFFICIAL  RECORDS  OF    THE    FIRST  TRUSTEES. 

"In  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy, 
Saturday  evening,  July  14th,  1804 

The  male  members  having  met  for  the  purpose  of  choosing 
trustees  for  this  church  in  conformity  to  the  act  of  incorporation, 
public  notice  having  been  given  by  advertisement  at  least  ten 
days  previously,  The  Rev.  Elias  Riggs  was  chosen  moderator 
after  which  they  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  three  trustees,  when 
John  Angus,  David  Wait  and  John  Lewis  were  unanimously 
elected.     Attest.  Elias  Riggs, 

Mod.  of  the  meeting:. 


We  the  subscribers,  being  duly  elected  on  the  14th  day  of 
July,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  four,  as  trustees  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy,  in  the  County 
of  Middlesex  and  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  having  taken  the 
oaths  required  by  law,  do  call  and  subscribe  ourselves  as  above 
expressed,  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City 
of  Perth  Amboy. 

Witness  our  hands  and  seals  this  10th  day  of  December,    1804. 

Jno.  Angus  [l.  s.] 
David  Wait  [l.  s.] 
John  Lewis  [l.  s.] 

Trustees. 


ADDENDA. 


59 


Came  to  the  clerk's  office  of  Middlesex  County,  December  13, 
1804,  and  was  recorded  in  book  entitled  "Incorporated  Societies" 
hv  Wm.  P.  Deare,  Clerk. 


Middlesex  County  ) 
State  of  New  Jersey  )  SS 
Personally  appeared  before  me,  Ephriam  Harriot,  "one  of  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  and  for  said  county,  John  Angus,  David 
Wait  and  John  Lewis,  trustees  elect  for  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy,  and  have  taken  the  oaths  prescribed 
by  the  fifth  section  of  religious  societies,  viz:  The  oath  to  sup- 
port the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  oath  of  allegiance 
prescribed  by  law  and  an  oath  for  the  faithful  execution  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  them. 

Sworn  before  me  this  tenth  day  of  December,  1804,   one  of  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  and  for  said  county. 

Ephr'm  Harriott, 

Justice  of  Peace. 


SUBSCRIPTION     LIST    FOR    CHURCH     BUILDING,    l8o2. 

We  the  subscribers  have  paid  into  the  hands  of  Capt.  John 
Angus,  the  sums  affixed  to  our  respective  names  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy, 
in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  where  there  was  formerly  one  which 
was  destroyed  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

New  York  Subscribers — Arch  Gracie,  20;  Jno.  Munro,  20; 
Daniel  Gordon,  10;  Samuel  Campbell,  one  doz.  Psalm  book's  for 
the  poor;  William  Cumberland,  one  Gilt  Dove  for  the  Pulpit; 
Thomas  Buchanan,  20;  Gilbert  Robertson,  20;  Peter  Kemble,  5; 
Alexander  Stewart,  2  kegs  and  a  half  of  yellow  paint  and  5; 
Charles  Smith,  Water  street,  5;  Thomas  Post,  5;  Thos.  Carpen- 
ter, 10;  Nat.  Bloodgood,  2.50;  Thomas  H.  Smith  Jr.,  2;  Matthew 
Roger,  3;  Edward  Reid,  3;  Henry  Ten  Brook,  5;  John  B.  Clark, 
5;  T.  Satten,  3;  Garrit  Gilbert,  3;  Edward  Etting,  2.50;  John 
McKillop,  3;  Walter  Rutherford,  25;  John  Roe,  25;  Ebenz. 
Stevens,  one  large  Bible  for  the  use  of  the  church;  Brockholst 
Livingstone,  15;  W.  Neilsen,  20;  Margaret  Douglas,  15;  Henry 
Rutgers,  30;  J.  G.  Warren,  15;  Daniel  McCormick,  20;  Andrew 
Smith,  20;  David  Bethune,  20;  Peter  Schemerhorn,  1=;;  Samuel 
Burling,  the  Mahogany  for  the  Pulpit  equal  to  40;  George  Cald- 
well, Communion  vessels;  James  Scott, 20;  Andrew  Anderson,  10; 
John  Hone,  10;  Wm.    Renwick,     15;    J.  N.  Griffith,  ro;    A.     Y. 


60  PRESBYTERIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

Tuyl,  5;  H.  Kermit,  10;  Geo.  Barnewall,  10;  James  Tillary,  10; 
John  MacGregor,  10;  Benj.  Page,  5;  John  Stevens,  20;  Jas.  Rob- 
ertson, 5;  H.  Scott,  10;  Isaac  Roe,  5;  Robt.  Cocks,  10;  Robert 
Stewart,  5;  Ambraham  Varick,  5;  R.  Richer,  5;  Andrew  Morris, 
5;   Robert  Gosman,  5;  H.  G.  Rutgers,  5;  cash,  258. 

Philadelphia  Subscribers — Elias  Boudinot,  20;  Robt.  Ralston, 
20;  Robert  Smith,  20;  Thos.  Ewing,  20;  Thomas  Leiper,  20; 
Magnus  Miller,  20;  James  Crawford,  20;  Thos.  M.  Kean,  20; 
Geo.  Latimer,  20;  John  Maybin,  20;  Stephen  Girard,  20;  J.  B. 
Hennesey,  20;  Geo.  Z.  Reinnour  for  Paul  Siemen,  20;  Geo.  Z. 
Reinnour,  20;  Hugh  Jackson,  20;  John  Steinmetz,  20;  John  G. 
Wachsmuth,  20;  Lewis  Clapier,  20;  Benjamin  Wickes,  20;  Ed- 
ward Bard,  20;  Richard  Stiles,  10;  Henry  Pepper,  10;  J.  Cnoly, 
20;  Chas.  S.  Baneker,  10;  Lewis  Neill,  20;  G.  Hamilton,  20; 
Joseph  Higbee,  20;  William  Bainbridge,  20;  Walter  Lowrey,   50. 

Newark  and  Elizabethtown  Subscribers — D.  W.  DeCamp,  20; 
Elisha  Boudinot,  10;  Archibald  Mercer,  10;  James  Hadden,  3; 
Jas.  Ten  Brook,  3;  J.  M.  Cunning,  10;  Arch  Gifford,  5;  Alex  C. 
McWhorter,  6;  Isaac  Ailing,  10;  Stephen  Hays,  4;  Benjamin 
Coe,  5;  Ezra  Baldwin,  5;  Samuel  Whitaker,  2;  Caleb  Wheeler,  2; 
Uzal  Sayrs,  5;  Nath'l  Beach,  10;  Abiel  Campbell,  2;  Daniel 
Banks,  1;  Jacob  Plum,  1;  Timothy  Anderson,  2;  George  Scriba, 
10;  Moses  McCombs,  6;  Adam  D.  Crane,  2;  F.  Burnet,  3;  John 
Wallis,  1 ;  Samuel  Hay,  3;  Samuel  Remington,  1;  S.  Gould,  1;  I. 
Parkhurst,  2;  Nath'l  Seabury,  2;  Jonathan  Sayre,  5;  Henry  Kol- 
lock,  20;  Lewis  Woodruff,  2;  Elias  Dayton,  10;  E.  B.  Dayton,  4; 
John  Chandler,  5;  Ralph  Price,  1;  Wililam  Dayton,  1;  Ralph 
Marsh,  2. 

Boston  Subscribers — Samuel  Elliott,  50;  Benj.  Bussey,  20;  Ed- 
ward Blake,  Jr. ,  20;  Jeremiah  Allen,  20;  Thomas  &  Andrews,  in 
books  to  the  academy  connected  with  the  church  at  Amboy,  one 
hundred  volumes;  Eben  Dow,  25;  J.  E.  5,  K.  J.  5,  D.  J.  5,  15; 
Thos.  K.  Jones,  20;  Win.  Ritchie,  10;  Friends,  75;  Joseph 
Coolidge,  20;  Jed.  Morse.  5  and  fifteen  books;  K.  G.  Shaw,  10; 
Robert  Murry,  10;  Gid  Snow,  10;  Charles  dishing,  5;  Samuel 
Bradford,  10;  J.  Q.  Adams,  10;  Samuel  Ingalls,  10;  Simon  For- 
rester, 10;  Jacob  Ashton,  10;  Edward  Allen  Jr.,  10;  John 
Derby,  16;  B.  Parkman,  20;  George  Crownishield  &  Sons,  20; 
George  Dodge,  10;  Samuel  Derby,  5;  Clifford  Crownishild,  10; 
Samuel  Snelling,  10;  J.  White  &  Co.,  thirty-five  volumes  books 
to  the  Academy;  Eben  Lackin,  twenty  volumes  books  to  the 
Academy;  Wash  Greenleaf,  twenty  volumes  books  to  the  Acad- 
emy; John  Boyle,  10,  in  books  to  the  Academy;  Samuel  Hall, 
10,  in  books  to  the  Academv;  A.  F.  Gregone,    10. 


ADDENDA.  6 1 

Porthsmouth,  N.  H.  Subscribers — John  Rangoon,  10;  Elijah 
Ladd,  10;  E.  Cutts,  3;  Samuel  Hill,  5;  James Sheaff,  10. 

Misplaced  while  on  board  the  packet  a  paper  subscribed  to  the 
amount  of  152  dollars  by  the  inhabitants  of  Newport  and  Provi- 
dence, R.  I. 


COPY  OF  THE  FIRST  SUBSCRIPTION  LIST  FOR  PASTOR'S  SALARY. 

We  the  subscribers  promise  to  pay  the  sums  affixed  to  our  re- 
spective names  in  quarterly  payments,  for  the  support  and  main- 
tenance of  a  Presbyterian  Minister  in  the  City  of  Perth  Amboy 
for  one  year  to  commence  as  soon  as  he  shall  begin  to  officate  in 
his  duty.     Commenced  March  7,  1802. 

Margaretta  Clark  .    .    .    .20         David     Marsh 8 

J  no.      Angus 20         George  Compton 8 

David     Wait 10         William  Chase 6 

James  Harriott 10         Abraham     Webb 4 

Richard     Stevens  ....  10         Thomas    Crow 5 

Abraham      Ay  res  ....  10         Benj.     Ford 8 

Joseph  Golding 4         Shubal      Merritt 8 

Caleb     Ward 8         Cornelius      Disosway  ....  5 

James  Compton 10         Joseph  Wright 2 

William     Cross 6  William    Hamilton 6 

John   Roe 6  70 


REV.   MR.    RIGGS  EMPOWERS  TRUSTEES  TO    COLLECT  HIS   SALARY. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Elias  Riggs  have  con- 
stituted and  do  hereby  constitute  my  worthy  friends  John  Angus, 
Esq.,  John  Lewis,  Esq.  and  Mr.  David  Wait  or  either  of  them, 
my  lawful  attorney,  with  full  power,  jointly  or  severally,  as  to 
them  may  seem  expedient,  to  act  for  me  in  collecting  and  re- 
ceipting for  all  monies  which  are  now  due  to  me  for  services  per- 
formed in  Perth  Amboy.  Witness  ray  hand  and  seal  this  24th 
day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1807.  Elias  Riggs. 

Witness:     Lewis  Compton. 


GEORGE  COMPTON'S  BUILDING  ACCOUNT. 

Amboy  City,  July  5,  1802. 
July  1802. 

To  making    15    spikes £  0.15.06 

To  altering  a   spiar 6.00 

To  12  staples  and  keys 6.06 

To    2    hinges 1.2.06 

To  making  a  lightning  rou  .    .        .  .    .  _\  12.00 


62  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

To  making  staples 3-°6 

To  12    i^     bolts 12.06 

To  making  staples 5.00 

To  12  plates,  2  beams    pnlpit 1. 11.00 

To  1    Hook,     2    bands 11.06 

To  Gudgeons  boxes  and    rivets 16.00 

To  11  locks  and  rivets 3.06 

To  6    screw    bolts 6.06 

To  hinges,  1    rod    iron 14.06 

To  1-2  the  amount  of  work  by  Web  and  Comp- 

ton 1. 16.01 


12.    2.7 
Deduct  by  subscription  to  the   church    $20  .    .  8. 

4.2.07 


SUBSCRIPTION  LIST  FOR  PARSONAGE,    1809. 

We  the  subscribers  promise  to  pay  into  the  hands  of  John 
Angus,  David  Wait  or  John  Lewis,  or  their  successors,  trustees 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  Academy  in  the  City"  of  Perth 
Amboy,  the  sum  affixed  to  our  respective  names,  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  Parsonage  House  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
pastor  and  principal  of  the  said  church  and  academy.  It  is  ex- 
pressly understood  that  the  object  of  this  donation  is  for  the  com- 
bined purpose  of  procuring  a  competent  teacher  for  the  seminary 
of  Amboy.  Having  found  by  experience  that  the  emoluments 
heretofore  have  not  been  sufficient  to  support  a  proper  character; 
it  is  therefore  proposed  to  subscribe  a  sufficient  sum  to  build  a 
a  house  for  the  pastor  of  said  church  and  teacher  of  the  academy. 

Perth  Amboy,  Sept.  22,  1809. 

James  Harriott,  $20;  William  Cross,  25;  Abraham  Avers,  15; 
Elizabeth  Codington,  20;  William  Bloodgood,  10;  Daniel  Avers, 
vSr.,  in  timber  or  stone,  7.50;  Joshua  Bloodgood  in  mason  work,  5; 
John  Lewis,  40;  Rev.  D.  C.  Hopkins  (all  due  on  pew  rent)  3; 
James  Flate,  2;  Rev.  Elias  Riggs,  30;  May  Cook,  5;  Margaret 
Clark,  2.50;  John  Angus,  the  ground  to  build  the  Manse  in  120 
and  100  in  cash;  Samuel  Angus,  50;  Alex  Sample,  30;  Robert 
Bethel,  25;  Tutor  Brown,  10;  Arthur  Harper,  10;  James  Rich- 
ards, 5;  John  McDowell,  5;  John  Mills,  5;  Barclay  Carll,  5;  Sam- 
uel D.  Smith,  5;  Samuel  Miller,  5;  Edward  D.  Griffin,  5;  Ebenez- 
er  Grant,  10;  Matthew  LaPerrine,  5;  Noah  Crane,  2.50;  Asa  Hill- 
yer,  5;  John    Woodhull,  5;  Nathan    Woodhull,  5;  Win.    Lawson, 


ADDENDA. 


63 


2.50;  G.  Williams,  3;  Phin  Manning,  25;  John  Brewster,  1;  J. 
Manning,  18;  Mrs.  Sarah  Malcom,  10;  John  Bayard,  5;  M. 
Chrystie,  3;  Thomas  Brown,  10;  Governor  Crawford,  5;  Robt. 
Bethell,  10;  Daniel  Perrine,  20;  Nath'l  Manning,  15;  James  Mor- 
gan, 10;  Daniel  Perrine,  20  on  condition  that  the  parsonage 
house  is  not  mortgaged;  George  Compton,  5;  Charles  Ford,  3; 
John  Viof,  3;  Thomas  Avers,  5;  David  Wait,  55;  Jas.  Edgar,  10; 
Thomas  Akin,  25;  N.  K.  Taylor,  10;  Wm.  Hamilton,  5;  Lewis 
Arnold,  5;  Benj.  Ford,  2;  Charles  Ford,  3;  Wm.  Ford,  Jr.,  2; 
Isaac  Potter,   5. 


bill  rendered  by  alex  sample  for  parsonage. 

Perth  Amboy,   1809. 
Trustees  of  Presbyterian  Church. 

To  Alex  Sample,  Dr. 

May  31.      1  lb  Rought  Neils £  o.  1 .05 

8.02 


July 


3i 

2 

3 
15 
19 

20 
21 

22 

23 
26 

27 

28 

3 

4 

8 

12 

26 

28 


Augt. 


15- 


Sundreys  to  Black  Benn 

14  oz.  Powder  for  Blowing   Stone 

1    quart  Spirits 

1  '  quart  Spirits 

1    quart  Spirits 

1   quart    Spirits 

1    quart    Spirits 

1    quart    Spirits 

3  pints  Spirits t .    . 

4  lb  Rought  Neils 

1    gallon  Spirits 

1    quart   Spirits 

1    quart  Spirits 

1    quart    Spirits 

1   quart    Spirits 

1   quart    Spirits 

1   quart    Spirits 

1    quart    Spirits 

1    quart  Spirits 

1   quart   Spirits 

1  lb    Putty 

1   quart    Spirits 

1   quart    Spirits 

4  papers    lamblack  @    l/>  .    .    .    . 

1    quart    Spirits 

7    lb  iod    Neils 

18  lb  iod  Neils 


7.00 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 

3-05 
5.08 
9.00 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
2.03 
1. 00 
2.03 
2.03 
4.08 
2.03 
7.00 
18.00 


64  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AM  BOY. 

28.     4  lb  whiteing,  1  lb  Rought    Neils 3.05 

30.      22  8d  Neils 1.2.00 

Sept.    1.     6  lb  Neils,  1   lb  Rought  Neils 7.05 

3    pints    Spirits 3.09 

2.      1  quart  Spirits,    4  lb    Neils 6.06 

4.      12  lb   Neils 12.00 

9.      13  lb   Neils 13-00 

14.  7    lb    Neils 7.00 

15.  1    quart  Spirits 2.06 

16.  iolb  Neils,   2    Rought    Neils 12.10 

28.     4  lb   Putt}- 4.00 

Oct.      3.      1   quart   Spirits 2.06 

13.      3  lb  Yallow  Paint,  1-2   lb  Litchragh  ....  5.00 

1    quart   Spirits 1.06 

19.     6  lb    White    Lade 11.00 

1  lb  Putty,    1-2    lb  Litchragh 2.06 

23.     8    lb    Neils 8.00 

To  cash  paid  Bonnenton  for  diging    seller  .  2.0.00 

To  do  for    Blowin   Stone 14.00 

To  do  for    Plasterin    Hare 12.00 

To  do  for    Wikes   Mans  Bording 2.00.00 


,£17.2.09 

FOR  A  PARSONAGE  WELL — l8lO. 

Persons  composing  the  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  this  city,  who  wish  to  see  its  property  improved  by 
having  a  well  made  on  the  parsonage  lot  as  well  to  render  it 
more  convenient  and  comfortable  for  their  pastor,  as  to  add  to  its 
value  hereafter,  are  now  called  upon  to  contribute  towards  that 
object  in  any  way  that  may  be  most  convenient  to  themselves 
either  in  money,  labour  or  material.  These  therefore  who  feel 
disposed  to  lend  their  aid  will  affix  opposite  their  respective 
names  whatever  they  choose  to  give  towards  so  useful  and  neces- 
sary appendage  to  the  property  of  their  church.  The  amount 
required  not  being  great  the  contribution,  if  general,  will  fall 
light  upon  all. 

Then  follow  twenty-four  names  with  $58  in  cash  and  labor 
and  material.  

PEW  RENTALS  WITH  NAMES  OF    OCCUPANTS — [809-IO. 

Number         Name  Annual  Tax 

1  James     Wait 8 

2  David  Smally  and  Isaac    Andrew 5.00 

3  Mrs.  Dorset    3-5  $3 5.00 


ADDENDA.  65 

4  Caleb    Ward 5.00 

5  John  Angus,   Esq 8.00 

6  The  estate  of  Phineas    Mailing,    dec'd  ....  8.00 

7  Henry  Hampton    y?    $4 8.00 

8  Vacant 8.00 

9  "        3-5o 

10  L,ewis      Arnold 3.50 

11  Vacant 3.50 

12  Thomas     Akin 3.00 

13  Nathaniel   K.    Taylor 3.00 

[4  Vacant 2.50 

15                          i-50 

16                          1.50 

17  "        x-50 

18  "        4.00 

9  i      Taken     up  for   Library 4.00 

21  Vacant 2.50 

22  "         3.00 

23                          3-00 

24  "         3-5o 

25  William    Bloodgood 3.50 

26  Thomas  Griggs 3.50 

27  Mrs.    Coddington 8.00 

28  James  Compton 8.00 

29  Col.  James  Harriott 8.00 

30  Daniel  Perrine,  Esq.    ^$5    and  Dr.  Mailing  .  8.00 

31  Mrs.  Cook    v?  $2.50 5.00 

32  John     Lewis 5.00 

33  George    Compton 5.00 

34  Vacant 5-°° 

35  "         8-°° 

36  John  Angus,  Esq.   and   Alex   Semple  ....  7.00 

37  Daniel    Manning  %    $3.50 7.00 

38  Simeon     Drake 7.00 

39  Benjamin  Ford 7.00 

40  Abraham     Ayers 7.00 

41  Vacant 7-°° 

42  Daniel  Ayers  Y?  $3.50  Thomas  Seamen  2.  .    .  7.00 

43  William    Cross 6.00 

44  Vacant 6.00 

45  "         6.00 

46  "        5-00 

47  "        •  5-oo 


66 


PRESBYTERIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


SUBSCRIPTION     LIST  FOR    REV.   PETER  STRYKER  S  SALARY. 

We  the  subscribers  do  hereby  promise  to  pay  unto  the  Rev. 
Peter  Stryker  the  sums  annexed  to  our  names,  annually  for  his 
labour  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  as  long  as  he  resides  in  the 
City  of  Perth  Amboy  or  till  such  time  as  we  remove  or  withdraw 
our  names,  which  notice  we  will  give  in  writing  to  him  or  the 
trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Perth  Amboy.  The  sums 
annexed  to  be  paid  in  quarterly  payments  viz, the  one  fourth  part 
to  be  paid  on  the  first  day  of  February  next,  the  second  on  the 
first  day  of  May,  the  third  on  the  first  day  of  August  and  the 
fourth  on  the  first  day  of  November  following,  and  so  much 
yearly  as  long  as  he  remains  the  pastor  of  the  said  church  or  we 
his   hearers. 

As  witness  our  hands  November  i,  1809. 


John';    Angus  .    .    . 

20.00 

Alexander  Sample  . 

10.00 

Daniel     Perrine    .    . 

12.00 

Jeremiah  Manning  . 

10.00 

Nath'l  Manning  .    . 

10.00 

John  Lewis  .    .    .    . 

6.00 

James   Compton  .    . 

8.00 

N.  K.  Taylor  .    .    . 

8.00 

Thomas   Griggs  .    . 

4.00 

Thomas  Seaman  .    . 

3.00 

A  Friend 

2.00 

George     Compton  . 

5.00 

Daniel     Mailing  .    . 

3-5o 

Thomas  Akin  .    .    . 

4.00 

Dr.    Hempton  .     .    . 

8.00 

Elizabeth     Dorset  . 

2.50 

Jacob      Lewis  .    .    . 

10.00 

Ruel     Hampton    .    . 

May  Cook 

Abraham    Ayers  .    . 
Elizabeth     Coddington 
G.    Conrad  Bender 
William  Ford,  Jr  . 
David    Wait  .... 
Lewis    Arnold  .    .    . 
James  Harriott  .    .    . 
William    Cross  .    .    . 
David  Smalley  .    .    . 
Rebecca  H.   Brown 
Simeon    Drake  .    .    . 
Elizabeth    Andrew 
Wm.    Bloodgood  .    . 
Daniel  Ayers,    Jr  . 
James    Edgar    .    .    . 


4.00 
2.50 
7.00 
8.00 
4.00 
6.00 
8.00 

3-50 
8.00 
6.00 
2.50 
3-5o 
3-50 
2.50 
4.00 

3-50 
5.00 


206.50 


SUNDRY    EXPENSES   ATTENDING  CHURCH  SUITS — 1824-30. 
PARTIAL  LIST  OF  ITEMS. 

Sept.      24 — To  cash   paid   Mr.    Hardenburg  (lawyer)  .    .$20.00 
To  cash  paid  for   brandy .75 

April  1825 — To  fee  paid   Theodore    Frelinghuysen  .  .    .    .     20.00 

May    1826 — To  cash  Mr.  Mann  his  bill  4  dinners  1.50  .    . 

To  cash  half  pint  liquor  ordered  at  Posts    .50     2.00 

July      13  —  To  cash  3  dinners  at   Mann's,   1.00 

To  cash  Posts  half  liquor  ord.    .50 1.50 


ADDENDA.  67 

May    1827 — To  cash  Tolls  2  gates,  horsefeed 1.87 

To  cash  Stage  hire  from  Amboy  to  Trenton  .  3.00 

To  cash  Palmer's  bill  3  days,  1  meal  at  Trenton  3.50 

To  cash  Gulich  stage  hire  to  New    Brunswick  2.00 

To  cash    boat    house .25 

The  whole  bill  amounted  to   $317.78. 


RECEIPT  OF  MR.   OSBORNE  FOR  SALARY. 

Received  from  Mr.  John  V.  Crawford,  on  February  14,  1824, 
thirty-nine  dollars  and  fifty  cents;  and  from  Mr.  Alexander 
Semple,  on  April  26,  1824,  fifty-eight  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  be- 
ing payment  in  full,  exclusive  of  board  and  lodging,  for  minis- 
terial services  performed,  as  a  stated  supply  appointed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Jersey,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Perth  Am- 
boy from  the  second  Sabbath  in  November  1823,  to  the  last  Sab- 
bath in  April  1824  inclusive.  Michael  Osborne. 


MINUTES  OF  TRUSTEES  SEPTEMBER    24,    1 838. 

Board  of  trustees  met  at  7  y2  o'clock.     On  motion  Resolved — 

1st.     That  we  raise  $70  for  warming  the  church. 

2d.  That  the  old  stove  loaned  by  Mr.  Bruen  be  cleaned  and 
returned  with  the  thanks  of  the  Board  for  its  use. 

3d.  That  with  the  sum  raised  we  procure  three  cylinder 
stoves  and  other  fuel. 

4th.  That  J.  F.  Halsey,  S.  Andrews  and  C.  F.  Maurice  be 
the  committee  to  raise  money. 

5th.     That  committee  be  authorized  to  sell  the  old  stove. 

6th.  That  the  monthly  collection  for  church  expenses  be 
taken  in  the  evening  as  well  as  morning. 

7th.  That  the  pews  taken  from  where  the  stoves  now  stand 
be  replaced. 

8th.  That  Dr.  Andrews  be  authorized  to  carry  out  his  propo- 
sition and  alter  the  pews  of  the  middle  block  according  to  the 
plan  of  the  first  two. 

9th.  That  the  holders  of  side  pews  be  allowed  to  alter  their 
pews  to  correspond  with  the  middle  block. 

10th.  That  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  be  re- 
quested to  notify  the  teachers  that  the  seats  occupied  by  the 
scholars  must  be  put  in  proper  order  after  the  school  is  dismissed. 
Adjourned.  C.  F.  Maurice,  Sec'v. 


68  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

BILL  FOR  STOVES  MENTIONED    ABOVE. 

New  York,  Oct.  27,  1838. 
Chas.  F.  Maurice,  Esq. 

for  Presbyterian  Church,  P.  Amboy. 

Bought  of  St  ratten  &  Seymour 

(Successors  to  H.  Nott  &  Co.  ) 

Wholesale  &  Retail  Stove  Dealers, 

242  Water  street. 

To  ( 2 )  Cylindrical  Sheet    Iron   Stoves $23.00 

50  lbs  Russia  Iron  Pipe  @  2-s 12.50 

1-2  Cartage 19 

35-69 
Donation  to   church .    .       5.69 


$30.00 
Dear  Sir: 

We  herewith  send  you  the  Two  Stoves  ordered.  Ornamental 
instead  of  Plain  as  ordered  by  Dr.  Andrews,  which  we  take  the 
responsibility  to  alter  and  have  made  a  small  donation  which  we 
hope  will  be  acceptable  to  you. 

With  Respect,  Yours  truly. 


Stratten  &  Seymour. 


also  2  Shakers  &   Pokers. 


MINUTES   OF   TRUSTEES,    OCT.    21,     1 839. 

The  object  of  this  meeting  was  stated  to  determine  on  the  best 
means  of  raising  the  funds  now  wanted  for  the  church.  After 
consultation  it  was  Resolved: 

1  st.  That  hereafter  a  collection  shall  be  taken  every  Sabbath 
to  defray  the  expenses  incurred  for  fuel,  lights,  etc.,  and  to  dis- 
charge the  debts  now  due  by  the  church. 

2tt.  That  all  persons  having  unsettled  accounts  against  the 
church  be  requested  to  present  them  before  Saturday,  2d  of  Nov. 
to  Mr.  D.  Crowell. 

3d.     That  this  res.  be  read  on  Sunday  next  by  the  chairman. 

4th.  That  Mr.  Halsey  prepare  a  short  appeal  to  the  congre- 
gation on  the  necessity  of  better  liberality  in  the  contributions 
showing  the  need  of  it. 


ADDENDA.  69 

THE  ACADEMY. 

Perth  Amboy,  Oct.  6,  1818. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  the  Perth  Amboy  Academy, 
present  Rev.  Dr.  Andrews,  chairman;  Matthew  Bruen,  Major 
Lamb,  Mr.  Semple  and  John  Brewster.  John  Brewster  was  chosen 
secretary  pro  tern. 

Roger  W.  Griswold  offered  himself  to  take  charge  of  said 
Acadamy  as  Preceptor  and  haveing  prodused  his  credentials  of 
having  graduated  at  Yale  College  and  Prodused  Letters  of  recom- 
mendation which  we  approved,  unanimously  agreed  to  envite  Mr. 
Griswold  to  take  charge  of  said  Academy  and  depend  on  the 
School  for  Compensation  at  the  following  prices  for  Tuition: 
For   the    Languages   and    the  higher    Branches  of    Mathe- 

maticks  .  $5-QO 

Geography  and  English    Grammer 3.50 

Reading,  Wrighting  and  Arithmatick 3.00 

Reading    and    Wrighting 2.50 

Spelling  and  Reading  ...  2.00 

Mr.  Griswold  to  continue  the  school  for  at  least  one  year. 
To  commence  on  Mondav  the  12th  Instant. 


[to  the  trustees] 

Apl.  12,  1823. 
An  application  was  made  by  Mr.  Miner  the  teacher  in  the 
Academy  for  the  loan  of  a  pair  of  Globes  belonging  to  the  con- 
gregation, whereupon  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  the 
Globes  be  loaned  to  the  teacher  and  that  a  receipt  be  taken  for 
them  to  be  returned  at  any  time  when  called  for  by  the  trustees. 

FROM  A  PAPER  ISSUED  BY  THE  TRUSTEES  IN    1 862. 

"The  means  for  defraying  the  current  expenses  are  derived 
from  annual  assessments  upon  the  pews  and  by  voluntary  sub- 
scriptions. Each  pew  has  a  specific  valuation  and  is  held  only  so 
long  as  the  assessments  are  met.  These  are  received  quarterly, 
falling  due  on  the  first  of  May,  August,  November  and  February, 
but  are  payable  one  month  in  advance.  Prompt  payment  is  in- 
dispensible  in  order  that  the  trustees  may  honorably  meet  their 
engagements.  Pews  may  be  rented  at  any  season  of  the  year,  by 
making  application  to  any  of  the  trustees.  Sittings  will  also  be 
furnished  to  the  poor  with  a  due  consideration  of  their  circum- 
stances. Persons  occupying  pews  will  be  expected  in  all  cases  to 
pay  for  their  use,  unless  special  arrangements  have  been  made 
with  the  trustees.      As  the  trustees  occupy  their  office  without  re- 


70  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

ward,  it  is  highly  proper  that  all  who  are  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  the  church  should  facilitate  their  efforts  as  far  as  possible, 
in  order  that  the  temporal  interests  of  the  congregation  may  be 
promptly  and  efficiently  administered." 


MISCELLANEOUS      ITEMS. 

The  church  sexton  in  1822,  was  Joseph  B.  Wood.  He  re- 
ceived an  annual  salary  of  $16  and  half  a  pew  free.  In  1857 
when  Samuel  Teller  was  sexton,  the  salary  was  increased  to  $50 
per  year. 

In  1857  the  trustees  ordered  the  bell  rung  at  all  meetings  of 
the  congregation  during  the  week  as  well  as  on  Sunday.  That 
same  year  the  members  of  the  church  were  asked  to  stand  at  the 
singing  of  the  second  hymn  and  the  last  prayer.  In  the  receipts 
of  that  year  reported  in  the  accounts  of  the  trustees,  was  a 
"$5  counterfeit    bill." 

The  Board  of  Trustees  in  1857  adopted  as  the  seal  of  the 
church  "the  reverse  side  of  a  gold  eagle." 

In  1821  the  church  had  its  accounts  "lodged  in  a  Savings 
Bank  in  New  York." 

The  trustees  in  1861  appointed  one  of  their  number  to  "inform 
the  sexton  that  sweeping  the  church  and  filling  lamps  must  be 
done  on  week  davs  instead  of  Sundavs. ' ' 


COMMITTEE  TO  REPAIR  CHURCH    IN     1 869. 

William  Hall,  Ch.  Keen,  I.  S.  Harned,  H.  D.    Tyrrell,    D.  T. 
Wait  and  Capt.  C.   White. 


COMMITTEE  TO    BUILD  MANSE  IN   1887. 

F.  A.  Seaman,  E.  W.  Barnes,  W.  B.  Mount,  Wm.  H.  Hall. 


COMMITTEE  TO    BUILD  CHAPEL  IN   1 889. 

E.  W.  Barnes,  William  B.  Mount,  William  H.  Hall,   Frank  B. 
Morris,  F.  A.  Seaman,  I.  D.  Shay,  Rev.  J.  H.  Owens. 


ADDENDA. 


71 


ELDERS. 
The  following  is  the  list  of  those  who  have  filled  the   office  of 
Ruling  Elders  since  the  organization  of  the  church: 

John    Angus 180. 

David     Wait 1804 — ] 

John     Lewis 18a 

Alexander     Semple 181 2 — i 

James  Harriott 1814- 

John    V.    Crawford 1822 — ] 

Samuel    R.    Ford 1822 — i 

Charles  Ford  .    .    .    ; 1826 — 

John  D.    See 1836 — 

Samuel  E.    Woodbridge 1836 — 

Zadok     Mundy 1836- 

David    Crowell 1849  - 

Daniel    Selover I849 — ] 

Stephen  G.   Woodbridge ^49 — ] 

Caleb  C.    Pierson 1855 — 

Cornelius    D.    Selover 1855- 

William    Laforge 1856- 

Henry  D.  Tyrrell 1856- 

Cornelius      Hadden 1871- 

Edward  W.    Barnes 187 1 — - 

Frank  Grimstead 1892 — 1897 

Philip     Gibson 1897  — 

Adrian  Lyon 1898 — 

Samuel  S.    Shull 1898  — 

William  H.    Hall 1898— 1899 


807 
810 

815 
826 
848 
824 
855 
847 
840 

865 
837 
853 
871 

853 
871 


898 


TRUSTEES. 

In  1 840  the  records  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  were  destroyed 
by  fire  and  it  is  impossible  to  know  definitely  all  the  trustees  who 
served  prior  to  that  time;  but  from  old  papers  the  following  per- 
sons have  served  in  that  office  from  1804  to  1840: 

John  Angus,  David  Wait,  John  Lewis,  Benjamin  Maurice, 
William  Paterson,  James  Harriott,  William  Ford,  Simeon 
Drake,  John  Wait,  Lewis  Compton,  Matthias  Bruen,  Alexander 
Semple,  David  Crowell,  Charles  Ford,  Mr.  Lamb,  Daniel 
LaTourette,  John  Brewster,  Col.  Griggs,  John  Bender,  John 
Patrick,  Oliver  Ogden,  John  Young,  Edward  Ford,  George 
Hampton,  Dr.  Solomon  Andrews,  J.  F.  Halsey,  C.  F.  Maurice. 
1840.  Benjamin  Maurice,  David  Crowell,  Charles  F.  Maurice, 
Edwin  Ford,  William  I.  Ford,  John  Wait. 


72  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 

1846.  Stephen  G.   Woodbridge. 

1847.  Alexander  M.   Bruen,    William    Paterson,    Cornelius    H. 

Schaps,  David  T.  Wait. 
1855.     Henry  D.  Tyrrell,  Edward  J.  Hall,  William  Hall, Charles 
Keen,  Robert  Freeman. 

1858.  Cornelius  Hadden,  James  T.  Crowell,  Caleb    C.    Pierson, 

Nathaniel  H.  Tyrrell,  Ephraim  Martin. 

1859.  Thomas  Vernon,  Henry  M.  Stone. 

i860.     Cornelius  White,  James  Gibson,  Daniel  Selover. 

1861.  William  Ray,  Cornelius  D.  Selover,  John  M.     Coutts,   C. 

C.  Pierson. 

1862.  Isaac  Harned,  H.  D.  Tyrrell. 

1863.  James  H.  Hart,  James  Davison. 

1864.  E.  H.  Hall,  William  Ray,  William  Hall,   C.    D.   Selover. 

1865.  Jas.  T.  Crowell,  H.  D.  Tyrrell,  C.  C.  Pierson. 

1866.  Charles  Keen,  Cornelius  Hadden,  James  Gibson. 

1867.  Win.  Hall,  Cornelius  White,  Charles  Hunter. 

1868.  H.  D.  Tyrrell,  C.  C.  Pierson,    T.    S.    Harris. 

1869.  Charles  Keen,  Cornelius  Hadden,  Isaac  Harned. 

1870.  William  Hall,  I.  S.  Harned,  H.  V.  Creemer. 

1 87 1.  H.  D.  Tyrrell,  C.  C.  Pierson. 

1872.  S.    G.    Phillips,  George    H.  Tice,   Charles  Keen,    Joseph 

Burns. 

1873.  S.  Manning, William  Hall,  John  H.  Best,  Alfred  Wipple. 

1874.  William  B.  Mount. 

1875.  Charles  Keen,  Joseph  Burns,  George  H.  Tice. 

1876.  William  Hall,  W.  B.  Mount,  S.    Manning,    Fred  A.  Sea- 

man. 

1877.  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F.  A.  Seaman. 

1878.  Charles  Keen,  Samuel  Hall. 

1879.  J.    J.    Deitche,    Win.     Hall,    Stelle  Manning,     Wm.    B. 

Mount. 

1880.  J.  H.  Vogel,  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F.  A.  Seaman. 

1 88 1.  Samuel  Hall,  J.  J.  Deitche,  John  R.  Shay. 

1882.  Wm.  B.  Mount,  John  R.  Shay,  J.    H.    Vogel,    John    G. 

Martin. 

1883.  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F.  A.  Seaman. 

1884.  J.  J.  Deitche,  J.  G.   Martin. 

1885.  Wm,  B.  Mount,  John  R.  Shay,  Wm.  H.  Hall. 

1886.  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F.  B.  Morris. 

1887.  J.  G.  Martin,  J.  J.   Deitche. 

1888.  W.  B.  Mount,  John  R.  Shay.W.  H.  Hall,  A.  D.  Brodhead. 

1889.  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F,  B.   Morris. 

1890.  J.  J. Deitche,  F.  A.  Seaman. 


ADDENDA.  73 

1891.  W.  B.  Mount,  J.  D.  Shay,  George  Hadden. 

1892.  F.  B.  Morris,  N.  H.  Tyrrell,  F.  O.  Pierson. 
l893-  J-  J-  Deitche,  F.  A.  Seaman,  Adrian  Lyon. 

1894.  F.  O.  Pierson,  W.  H.  Hall,  Henry  Petty. 

1895.  F-  B-  Morris,  A.  Lyon. 

1896.  F.  A.  Seaman,  J.  J.  Deitche. 

1897.  F-  O.  Pierson,  H.  Petty,  W.  H.  Hall,  W.  James  Lyle. 

1898.  F.  B.  Morris,  A.  Lyon,  Geo.  E.  Hadden. 

1899.  Charles  D.  Snedeker,  J.J.  Deitche,  Wilbur  LaRoe. 

1900.  C.  Douglas  Fraser,  S.  E.    Shull,    H.    Petty,    W.    LaRoe, 
John  H.  Gregory. 

1 901.  C.  D.  Fraser,  C.  D.  Snedeker. 

1902.  J.  J.  Deitche,  J.  H.  Gregory. 


THE     SABBATH    SCHOOL. 

For  many  years  a  union  school  was  held  in  the  City  Hall  and 
later  in  the  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  High  and  Gor- 
don streets.  In  1835  the  Presbyterian  Sabbath  school  was  organ- 
ized and  services  were  transferred  to  the  church  building.  The 
superintendent  was  Miss  Nancy  Stewart,  a  sister-in-law  of  Ben- 
jamin Maurice,  a  coal,  lumber  and  hay  dealer,  and  for  many 
years  a  trustee  of  the  church.  Miss  Stewart  died  in  1845. 
Another  lady  followed  Miss  Stewart  in  this  office,  Miss  Harriet 
Bruen,  daughter  of  Matthias  Bruen.  She  was  afterward  the 
wife  of  Bishop  Whitehouse  of  Illinois.  This  tribute  has  been 
paid  to  her:  "A  most  devoted  and  successful  Sunday-school 
teacher, winning  many  to  the  love  of  Jesus."  In  1876  the  school 
numbered  one  hundred  and  fifteen  scholars  and  fifteen  officers  and 
teachers. 

The  present  enrollment  is:  Officers  and  teachers,  37;  scholars, 
437;  Keasbey  school  officers  and  teachers  2,    scholars,    58;    total, 

534- 

The  superintendents  have  been  as  follows:  Miss  Nancy  Stew- 
art, Miss  Harriet  Bruen,  Miss  Eveline  Brown,  Richard  K.  Todd, 
Stephen  G.  Woodbridge,  Daniel  Selover,  Dr.  C.  H.  Schaps, 
Henry  D.  Tyrrell,  Dr.  Warren,  D.  Thomas  Vernon,  Henry  D. 
Tyrrell,  Rev.  Aaron  Peck,  Cornelius  Hadden,  E.  W.    Barnes. 

CONSTITUTION  ADOPTED  FOR  FIRST    SUNDAY-SCHOOL,     1 835. 

Art.  1.     This  school  shall  be  known  as  the  Sab.  School  of   the 
1  st  Pres.  Chh.  of  Perth  Amboy. 
Art.  2.     This  school  shall  be  subject  to  the  control  of  the  Pas- 


74  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PKRTH    AMBOY. 

tor  and  his  session  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  or  make  pro- 
vision for  all  necessary  appointments. 

Art.  3.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  first  and  second  superin- 
tendents, librarian,  secretary  and  treasurer  who  with  the  assist- 
ance of  the  teachers  shall  manage  the  affairs  of  the  school. 

Art.  4.  It  will  be  expected  of  the  teachers  that  they  recog- 
nize the  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Pres.  Ch.  which  are 
summarily  expressed  in  the  "Confession  of  Faith"  and  the 
"Westminster  Catechism"  which  we  as  a  Ch.  adopt  as  containing 
the  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

Art.  5.  As  to  the  exercises  of  the  school  it  shall  be  left  to  the 
discretion  of  the  superintendents  and  teachers  with  the  advise  of 
the  session  to  adopt  such  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be  most  pro- 
motive of  the  best  interests  of  the  scholars,  commencing  and  clos- 
ing always  with  prayer  or  singing. 

MISSIONS. 

Very  early  in  the  history  of  the  organization  the  cause  of 
Home  Missions  interested  the  members.  The  first  report  that  is 
found  from  this  church  in  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly 
shows  an  annual  contribution  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  for 
Domestic  Missions.  Eighty  years  ago  on  the  first  Sunday  even- 
ing of  each  month  a  prayer  and  praise  service,  a  Missionary  con- 
cert in  other  words,  was  held  and  in  i860  this  service  was 
changed  from  Sunday  to  Monday  evening.  The  following  in- 
teresting papers  have  been  found. 

Cash  taken  from  Missionary  Box,  Monday  4  June   1827: 

1  Gold  piece $5-°° 

Silver  &  cents 4.50 

$9-50 

Perth  Amboy  28  Sept.  1829.  We  the  subscribers  having 
counted  over  the  Money  in  the  Missionary  box  belonging  to  the 
Presbvterian  Church  of  this  place  found  it  contained  as  follows: 

"Silver $8.60 

Amboy    B'k     Note 1.00 

Hoboken  Manf'gCo.,  bad  $1.00 

Cents 68 

$10.28 
Ten  dollars  28-100  besides  one  dollar  note    Broken   Bank  sent 
Missionary  N.  Jersey  Society  by  Mr.  Wilson. 

James  Harriott, 
Benj.  Maurice. 


ADDENDA.  75 

No  permanent  organization  was  made,  however,  until  1870 
when  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  Henrietta  Manning,  the 
Womans  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was  formed.  Mrs.  Man- 
ning was  the  first  president,  Miss  Virginia  Griffith,  secretary  and 
Miss  Olivia  Seaman  treasurer.  A  Harriet  Newell  Mission  Band 
was  at  the  same  time  organized  among  the  young  women  of 
the  church.  This  society  did  good  work  for  ten  years  when  it 
became  only  a  name. 

In  December  1881,  the  ladies  of  the  church  met  at  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Alfred  Compton  for  the  re  organization  of  the  Missionary 
Society.  Mrs.  Edward  W.  Barnes,  Sr.,  was  elected  president, 
Mrs.  J.  A.  Hall,  vice-president;  Miss  Phebe  Hall,  secretary  and 
Mrs.  Sarah  Mitchell,  treasurer.  A  constitution  was  adopted  and 
the  membership  fee  fixed  at  one  dollar.  This  society  was,  how- 
ever, devoted  exclusively  to  home  mission  work  as  is  our  present 
Home  Missionary  Society.  Its  meetings  are  held  monthly,  and 
money  and  gifts  have  not  only  been  made  t<->  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions  but  to  churches,  schools  and  individuals  in  the  West. 
Many  boxes  of  clothing  have  been  sent  to  pastors  in  the  home 
mission  field. 

FOREIGN     MISSIONS. 

The  present  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was  organized  in  1889. 
A  mass  meeting  was  held  at  the  parsonage  on  May  6  for  that 
purpose  when  a  constitution  was  adopted  and  the  following 
officers  elected:  President,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Hall;  vice-president, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Owens;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Oscar  Arner.  Among 
the  missionaries  directly  aided  have  been  Miss  McGilvray,  of 
Siam,  and  Miss  Emma  Morris  of  India.  These  have  addressed 
the  society  from  foreign  lands:  Rev.  Mr.  Ford.  Persia,  Yung 
Wing,  Huie  Kin  and  Rev.  A. A.  Fulton,  China;  Rev.  Mr.  Lopez, 
Chile;  Rev.  T.  S.  Pond  and  J.  D.  Chamberlain,  D.  D.,  South 
America;  Miss  Schenck,  Persia;  Misses  Emma  Morris  and 
Brown  and  Mrs.  Rev.  C.  A.  Janvier,  India;  Dr.  Irwin,  Korea. 
Other  speakers  from  out  of  town  have  been:  Rev.  Wilson 
Phraner,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  Elliott  Field,  Mrs.  Stevenson, 
Mrs.  John  T.  Kerr,  Miss  L.  B.  Allen,  Rev.  A.  W.Halsey,  D.D., 
and  Miss  Williams. 

MITE    SOCIETV. 

Very  early  in  our  history  the  ladies  sought  ways  and  means  by 
which  they  might  aid  in  meeting  the  expenses  of  the  church.  In 
1  Sss  there  was  a  Ladies'  Association  which  contributed  $50  for 
painting  the  church.      The  present  Mite  Society  dates  from  1878. 


76  PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH  AMBOY. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  residence  of  William  B.  Mount  on 
January  3  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  organization,  its  object 
being  to  "raise  a  parsonage  fund  for  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
also  to  promote  sociability  among  the  congregation."  The  rec- 
ord of  this  first  meeting  is  as    follows: 

1.  It  was  resolved  to  call  the  society  the  Mite  Society. 

2.  That  the  officers  should  consist  of  a  president,  vice-presi- 
dent, secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  motion  Mrs.  E.  R.  Bulkley  was  elected  president,  Miss 
Amanda  Wait  vice-president,  Miss  Bessie  Wait  secretary  and 
Mrs.  William  B.  Mount,  treasurer. 

3.  Further  resolved  that  any  person  ma}*  become  a  member 
on  the  payment  of  twenty-five  cents. 

4.  That  a  collection  be  taken  at  each  meeting;  no  contribu- 
tion to  be  less  than  five  cents. 

5.  That  a  meeting  be  held  on  Tuesday  evening  of  each  week, 

6.  That  a  committee  of  four  be  appointed  by  the  officers  each 
week  to  arrange  a  program  for  the  next  meeting. 

7.  That  dancing  and  refreshments  be  prohibited. 

8.  That  meetings  be  held  from  7.30  until  ten  o'clock. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  at  Mr.  Bulkley' s  residence  on  Jan- 
uary 15,  and  the  program  included  music,  recitations  and  tab- 
leaux. The  report  says,  "the  remainder  of  the  evening  was 
passed  in  playing  games  and  singing  college  songs."  So  popu- 
lar were  these  socials  that  as  many  as  one  hundred  persons  have 
been  in  attendance  at  one  time.  In  three  months  $48  had  been 
collected.  On  May  1,  an  entertainment  was  held  in  the  City 
Hall  with  the  following  program: 

Instrumental  Solo Mrs.    E.   Mack 

Chorus O  Hail  Us,  Ye  Free 

Recitation F.   A.  Seaman 

Solo Miss  Julia  Arnold 

Instrumental  Solo Miss  I.  L.   Hall 

Tableau Rivoli  Queens 

Recitation Miss  G.  P.    Frazer 

Solo Miss    A.  H.    Manning 

PART   SECOND. 

Instrumental  Duett Miss  and    Mr.   Kent 

Solo Miss   A.    B.    Manning 

Instrumental  Solo Miss  I.  L.   Hall 

Pantomime The  Mistletoe    Bough 

Solo Miss  Julia  Arnold 

Recitation Miss  G.   P.   Frazer 

Solo  and  Chorus Jubilate  Deo 


ADDENDA. 


77 


Committees  on  the  program:  Tableaux— Mrs.  Bulklev,  Mrs. 
Mount,  Miss  Coutts  and  Mr.  Raiguel. 

Acting— Miss  Nannie  Wait,  Miss  Ella  Kent,  Mr.  Thornall 
and  Mr.  Crowell. 

The  net  proceeds  were  $45. 

It  was  soon  discovered  that  refreshments  were  necessary  .but  at 
a  meeting  to  be  held  at  the  residence  of  Dr.  E.  B.  P.  Kelley,  these 
were  restricted  by  vote  to  "cake,  nuts,  raisins,  fruit  and  "lemon- 
ade." The  membership  the  first  year  numbered  fifty-eight; 
twenty-three  being  gentlemen.  In  August  Capt.  Cornelius  White 
gave  the  society  a  sailing  excursion  to  Coney  Island.  This  ex- 
cursion was  repeated  the  next  year  to  Sandy  Hook,  but  on  re- 
turning in  the  evening  the  party  "encountered  a  severe  wind  and 
rain  storm  and  it  was  only  through  the  careful  seamanship  of 
Capt.  White  and  his  crew  that  they  reached  their  homes  in 
safety." 

At  one  of  the  annual  meetings  the  "young  folks  occupied  one 
room  in  which  they  hugely  enjoyed  the  game  of  'Blind  Man's 
Buff.'  '  In  1882  a  fair  was  held  in  the  City  Hall.  That  year 
the  money  of  the  society  was  changed  from  a  parsonage  to  a  Sab- 
bath school  building  fund.  In  1883  another  fair  was  held  and 
$145  realized  which  amount  was  used  in  buying  a  carpet  for  the 
church.  Thus  in  various  ways  and  in  all  seasons  during  these 
twenty-five  years  this  society  has  benefited  the  church  and  con- 
tinues with  strength  unabated. 


THE    LADIES'    AUXILIARY 

Was  formed  in  1901  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  for  the 
new  church.  Two  bazars  were  held  at  which  large  amounts 
were  secured. 


CHRISTIAN    ENDEAVOR     SOCIETY. 

This  society  is  now  sixteen  years  old,  having  been  organized 
in  1886.  Its  first  president  was  John  J.  Deitche  and  secretary 
Miss  Meribah  Roe.  It  began  with  thirteen  active  and  three  as- 
sociate members.  The  early  records  have  been  lost  but  from  a 
topic  card  of  1887  we  have  the  names  of  the  following  leaders  for 
the  first  quarter — January  to  April:  W.  Hall,  Rev.  J.  H.  Owens, 
J.  J.  Deitche,  A.  D.  Brodhead,  E.  J.  Hadden,  John  G.  Martin 
and  E.  W.  Barnes. 


78  PRESBYTKRIANISM    IX    PERTH    AMBOY. 

JUNIOR    ENDEAVOR. 

A  society  among  the  children  was  organized  in  1891  by  Misses 
Ella  Lyon  and  Grace  Thompson  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Hall.  This 
became  moribund  in  1889,  but  was  revived  in  1900  by  Robert 
M.  Comings  and  is  now, under  the  superintendency  of  Mrs.  Adrian 
Lyon  and  Mrs.  Wilbur  LaRoe,  a  large  and  busy  band  of  Juniors. 

THE    BOYS'    BRIGADE 

is  composed  of  members  of  the  Sabbath  School  between  the  ages 
of  ten  and  eighteen  years.  It  was  organized  November,  1900. 
In  the  summer  of  1901  it  made  an  excursion  to  New  York  City 
and  Governor's  Island,  at  which  place  a  reception  was  given  by 
Major  General  John  R.  Brooke. 


OFFICERS    OF    THE    CHURCH,    1903. 

Pastor:     Harlan  G.  Mendenhall,  D.  D. 

Elders:  Caleb  C.  Piersou,  treasurer;  Edward  W.  Barnes, 
Philip  Gibson,  Samuel  E.  Shull,  Adrian  Lyon,  clerk. 

Trustees:  Charles  D.  Snedeker,  president;  Wilbur  LaRoe, 
secretary;  Samuel  E.  Shull,  treasurer;  Henry  Petty,  John  H. 
Gregory,  John  J.  Deitche,  C.  Douglas  Fraser. 

SABBATH    SCHOOL. 

Superintendent,  Edward  W.  Barnes,  Assistant  Superintendent, 
Adrian  Lyon,  Secretary,  Miss  Emma  Mac  William;  Libraiian, 
Harry  Comings. 

Senior  Department — Superintendent,  Adrian  Lyon;  Assistant 
Superintendent,  Wilbur  LaRoe;  Secretarv,  Ravmond  Comings. 
Teachers:  Mrs.  E.  W.  Barnes,  S.  E.  Shull,  Mrs.  Dr.  Tyrrell, 
Miss  Anna  Skea,  Wilbur  LaRoe,  Adrian  Lyon,  Rev.  R.  White, 
Miss  Grace  Hawk,  W.  H.  Henry,  Miss  Frances  E.  Kent. 

Intermediate  Department — Superintendent,  John  J.  Deitche; 
Assistant  Superintendent,  Edward  R.  Proctor;  Secretary,  Miss 
Anna  McCylmont.  Teachers:  Mrs.  H.  Petty,  John  Frederick- 
son,  Mrs.  Frances  J. B.  Kelley,  Ernest  Hancock,  Miss  Ella  Kent,  E. 
E.  Hill,  Miss  L.  Gillis,  Mrs".  Theo.  Bloodgood,  J.  H.  Gregory, 
Mrs.  L.  Hancock,  G.  P.  Gabriel,  Charles  K.  Stevens,  Miss 
Marion  Owens. 

Junior  Department — Superintendent,  Miss  Louise  Ramsay;  Sec- 
retary, Miss    Carrie  Morris. 

Primary  Department —Superintendent,  Mrs.  Adele  M.  Steven- 
son; Assistant  Superintendent,  Mrs.  H.  P.  Herbert;  Secretary, 
Miss  Ella  Deitche. 


ADDENDA.  jg 

Beginners'  Department— Superintendent,  Miss  Hortense  Rock; 
Secretary,  Miss  Bessie  Barnes. 

Keasbey  Sabbath  School — Superintendent,  Miss  Maggie  Mc- 
Clymont;  Secretary,  Miss  Rose  Lewis. 

LADIES'    HOME    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 

President,    Mrs.    Adrian    Lyon;  Vice     Presidents,  Mrs.   A.  C. 
Mount,  Mrs.  S.   E.    Shull;    Secretary,    Mrs.    E.    A.    Bloodgood; 
Treasurer,  Mrs.  James  Lupton;  Secretary  of  Literature,  Mrs    M 
F.  McConnell. 


LADIES'     FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 

President,  Miss  A.  E.  VanNuis;  Vice-Presidents,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Hall,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Barnes;  Editors  Meteor,  Mrs.  T.  C.  Dillon, 
Miss  Louise  Ramsay;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Dr.  G.  W.  Tyrrell;  Treas- 
urer, Mrs.  S.  Riddlestorffer;  Secretary  of  Literature,  Miss  Edith 
Sofield;  Chairman  Finance  Committee,  Mrs.  S.  Comings;  Assist- 
ants, Miss  Grace  Hawk,  Mrs.  W.  W.    Henry. 

MITE    SOCIETY. 

President,  Mrs.  Emma  Compton;  Vice-President,  Mrs.  H.  P. 
Halpin;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Amelia  Hadden;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Amelia 
Mount;  Work  Directress,  Mrs.  S.  Comings. 

ladies'   auxiliary. 
President.  Mrs.  E.  W.  Barnes;  Vice-President,  Mrs.S.  J.  Ram- 
say; Secretary,  Miss  Emma  Mac  William;  Treasurer,   Mrs    S    E 
Shull. 


Y.    P.    S.    C.    E. 

President,  Wilbur  LaRoe;  Vice-President,  Adrian  Lyon;  Sec- 
retary, C.  Douglas  Fraser;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Miss 
Frances  E.  Kent;  Treasurer,  Miss  Laura  Steele. 

JUNIOR    ENDEAVOR    SOCIETY. 

President,  Walter  Comings;  Vice-President,  Clementine  Lewis; 
Secretary,  Wilbur  LaRoe,  Jr. ;  Treasurer,  Jetta  Stacey . 


WESTMINSTER    CADETS. 

Captain,    John  Danner. 


8o 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


ORGANIST. 

Mrs.  E.  W.  Barnes. 


USHERS. 

William  W  Henry,   Raymond  Comings,   John  Sofidd,   Charles 
Barnekov,  Virgil  Shull,  William  Graham,  Charles  Rossi. 

SEXTON. 

John    Frederickson. 


NAMES   OF   ALL    THE    MEMBERS    OF    THE    CHURCH    FROM    ITS 
ORGANIZATION. 

1807 


1803 

Angus,   John 
Angus,  Margaretta 
Clark,   Margaret 
Coddington,  Elizabeth 
Harriot,  Phebe 
Friend,   Rachel 
Lewis,  John 
Wait,  David 
Thomson,  Susanna 

1804 
Harriot,  James 
Butler,  Elizabeth 
Oliver,  Elsy 
Runnion,    Phebe 
Griggs,  Thomas 
Lewis,  Seviah 
Griggs,  Anna 
Ay  res,  Anna 
Ayres,  Abraham 

1805 
Jenkins,    Benjamin 

1806 
Seaman,  Letitia  (Thomas) 
Northall,   Mary 
Manning,  Phineas 
Sullivan,  Daniel 
Munday,   Levi 
Mundav,  Catharine 


Bender,  George  C. 
Bender,   Christiana 
Edgar,  James 

1808 
Leonard,  Margaret  (Battes) 
Randolph,  Mary 
Acken,    Phebe 
Wait,  Margaret 
Semple,  Alexander 
Semple,  Mary 
Bloodgood,    Doziah 
Tappen,  Mrs. 

1812 
Barton.  Rebekah 
Compton,  Abigal  (Lewis) 

1814 
Flood,  Mary 

1815 
Drake,  Simeon 

1816 
Moore,  Mary 

Maurice,  Margaret  (Benj.) 
Ford,  Margaret  Mrs. 
Ford,  Sarah   (William) 

1817 
Angus,  Susan  R. 
Ford,  Samuel  R. 


ADDENDA. 


Young,  Sarah  (John) 
Wait,  Ann  (Joseph) 
Geldbreith,  Margaret 
Semple,   Ann 
Simpson,  Elizabeth 
Bender,  Johannes 
Wait,  Elizabeth  (John) 
Ford,  Grace  (Charles) 
Griggs,  Susan 
LaTourette,  Mary  A. 
Ay  res,  Thomas 
Pembleton,  Lettice 
Coddington,  Jemima 

1818 
LaTourette,  Hannah  (Daniel) 
Crowell,  Rebecca  (David) 
Baisley,  John 
Field,   Rosetta 
Dunham,  Clarkson 
Dunham,  Margaret  (Clarkson) 
Tyrrell,  Esther  (Elias) 
Bender,  Mary  (John) 
Lewis,  Mary 
Ford,  Charles 
Simpson,  John 
Teller,  Fanny   (Samuel) 

1819 
Crawford,  Clarissa   (John) 
Crawford,  John 
Morehouse,  Hannah 
Vantine,  Mary 

1820 
Pike,   Mary 
Bloodgood,  Margaret 
Ledger,  Eleanor 
Lamb,  Maria  A. 

1821 
Kinsey,  Mary 

1822 
Freeman,  Clarissa  (Linus) 
Noe,  Elizabeth    (Benjamin) 


1823 
Conover,  Margaret  (James) 
Edgar,  Eliza  N.  (James) 
Aulick,  Mary  F.  (John  H.) 
LaTourette,  Susan 
Ford,  Jane  (Charles) 
White,  Elizabeth  B.  (Charles) 
Harriot,  Sarah  (Samuel) 
Benson,  Ann 
Ogden,  Augustus,   O.  B. 
White,  Sarah  (Cornelius) 
Thornell,  Benjamin  S. 
Thornell,  Tabitha  (Benj.  S.) 
Ogden,  Mary  (Oliver) 
Patrick,  Mary  A.    (John) 
Butler,  Ann   (Jonathan) 
Butler,  Jonathan 
LaTourette,  Hannah  (Daniel) 

1829 
Noe,  Mordecai 

1830 
Hampton,  Mary 
Hampton,  Frances 
Johnson,  Hannah  (James) 
Martin,  Catharine  (Jeremiah) 

1831 
Ford,  Edwin 
Ford,  Sarah  J.    (Edwin) 
McComb,  Eliza  (Joseph  B. ) 
Young,  Lavinia 
Brown,  Evelina 
Mundy.  Lucy 
Vanderhoven,  Maria   (Elkaneh) 

1832 
Maurice,  Benjamin 
Wheaton,  Mary  A. 
Shaw,  Anna  M_. 
Langstaff,  Hannah 
Bloodgood,  Lydia  (Abram) 
Hilliker,   Arnold 


82 


PRESBYTERIANISM     IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


1834 

Wood,  Mary  (Joseph  B. ) 

Morehouse,  Elizabeth  (Ogden) 

Munday,  Zadok 

Munday,  Rachel  (Zadok) 

Stewart,  Nancy 

Moore,  Mary 

Calhoun,  William 

Calhoun,  Mary  (William) 

McCormick,  Sarah  (Patrick) 

Compton,  Eliza 

Bloodgood,  Catharine 

Skillman,  Margaret 

Hampton,  Nancy 

Seaman,  Ann  (Anthony) 

Crowell,  Hannah  (Joseph) 

Bloodgood,  Martha 

Hampton,  George 

VanBoekel,  Harriet  (A.  J. ) 

Oilman,  Reynolds 

Gilman,  Elizabeth  (Reynolds) 

Miller,  Emily 

See,  John  D. 

Ford,  James 

Langstaff,  Catharine 

Martin,  Elizabeth 

Ford,  Mary  A.  (Samuel  R. ) 

Redfield,  Maria  (George  F.  ) 

Hull,  Eliza,  (Benjamin) 

Compton,   Susan 

Coutts,  Frances  (George) 

Harriot,  Elizabeth  A. 

Cutter,   Phebe 


1835 

Reader,  Elizabeth  (William) 

Keene,  Christiana  (Charles) 

Newton,  Euphemia 

Hilliker,  Sabia  (  Arnold ) 

Thorp,  Eliza 

Cory,  Maria,  Mrs. 

Reader,  Mary  A.  (Charles  A.) 


1836 
Woodbridge,  Samuel  E. 
Bruen,    Matthias 
Cory,  Mary  M.  (ReY.  Benj'm) 
Halsey,  Elizabeth  P.  (ReY.  Job) 

1837 
Pratt,  Nancy  (Benjamin) 
SeloYer,  Elizabeth   (Daniel) 
Selover,   Mary 
Selover,  Elizabeth 
SeloYer,  Cornelius  D. 
Selover,  Gertrude  (Cornelius) 
Wood,  Jane 
Langstaff,  Elizabeth 
Hull,  Rachel  R. 
Selover,  Margaret  H. 
Selover,  John  V. 
Langstaff,  Hannah 
Selover,  Daniel  Sen'r 
Woodbridge,  Elizabeth  G. 
Martin,  Mercy  (Kemble) 
Vanderhoven,  Jane  A. 
Cossit,  Parmelia  M. 
Selover,  Daniel 
Selover,  Elizabeth  ( Daniel ) 
Bloodgood,  Martha 
Todd,  Richard  K. 

1838 
Selover,  Peter  V. 
Selover,  James  D. 
Selover,  Catharine  E.  (Jas.  D.  ) 
English,  Thomas 
Larkin,  Sally,  Mrs. 
Lewis,  Margaret  A.  (Jacob) 
Andrews,  Solomon,  Dr. 
Andrews,  Harriet   (Solomon) 

1839 
Maurice,  Cornelia  F.  (Chas. ) 
Anderson.    Mary 
Maurice,  Charles  F. 
Mullen,  Martha 


ADDENDA. 


83 


184O 

Hadden,  Sarah  (Jacob) 
Johnson,  Franklin 
Johnson,  Rizpeh  (Franklin) 
English,  Nancy  (James) 

1841 
Tyrrell,  Rebecca,  Mrs. 
Vanderbilt,  Mary,  Mrs. 

1842 
Wait,  Jane  (David  T.) 

1843 
Rail,  Mary  J.  (Albert) 
Tyrrell,  Nathan 
Crowell,  David 
Westervelt,  Mary  J.  (Daniel) 
Sneath,  Eleanor  (John  H.) 
Sofield,  Mrs.  (Runyon) 
Kedey,  James 
Woodbridge,  Stephen  G. 
Manderville,  Benoni 
Manderville,  Mrs.  Benoni 

1844 
Vandoren,  Caroline 
Arnold,  Benjamin 
Martin,  Ann  E.  (Ephraim) 
Tyrrell,  Mary  E.    (Nathan) 

1845 
Johnson,  Joel 
Johnson,  Sally  (Joel) 
McLaughlin,  Julia  D.,  Mrs. 
Coon,  Martha,  Mrs. 
Tyrrell,  Henry  D. 
Tyrrell,  Sarah  (Henry  D.  ) 
Laforge,  William 
Laforge.  Catharine  (Wm.) 
Andrews,  William 

1846 
Halsey,  Mrs.  (Rev.  Luther) 
Gulick,  Luther  H. 
Gilman,  Sarah 
Laforge,  Cecelia 
Dick,  John 


1847 
Morse,  Dr.  Lucius  D. 
Morse,  R.  I.  (Lucius  D.) 
Tyrrell,  Nancy  (Rufus) 
Seguine,  Harriet  (James) 
Shotwell,  Wm.  B. 
Schaps,  Dr.  C.  H. 
Schaps,  Jane  S. 
Schaps,  Elizabeth 
Martin,  Cornelia 
Martin,  Luther  J. 
Bloodgood,  Doziah  (William) 

1848 
Raymond,  Amaranth  H.  (I.) 
Annin,  John  A. 
Andrews,   Cornelia 
Woodbridge,  Sarah  (Steph.  G. ) 
Raymond,  Fanny,  Mrs. 
Gibson,  James 
Gibson,  Marv  (James) 
See,  John  D." 
See,  Susan  (John  D. ) 
See,  Anna  Maria 
Snedeker,  Mary  Jane 
Larken,  Lydia,  Mrs. 

1849 
See,  Thomas  G. 
Masker,  Aaron 
Masker,  Phebe  (Aaron) 
Bird,  Mary  Ann  (Charles) 
Arburthnot,  Jane  A.  (Steph.) 
Hart,  Catharine  R.  (Henry  J. ) 

1850 
Goodman,  Martha  A.  (Geo.  W. ) 
Ford,  Margaret  J. 
VanBoekle,  Susan 
Selover,  Mary  H. 
Jacobie,  John 
Jacobie,  Mary  (John) 
Pierson,  Caleb  C. 
Pierson,  Dellah  (Caleb  C. ) 
Selover,  Gertrude  G.  (Dan'll.) 


84 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    l'KRTII  AMBOY. 


I  85  I 

Park,  Jane 
Vandoren,  Abram 
White,  Sarah  (Cornelius) 
Noe,  Harriet,  (Marsh) 

1852 
Hall,  Mary  (Edward) 
Wait,  Emma  (James) 
Newman,  Charles 
Adams,  John 
Adams,  Emily  C.    (John) 
Bradner,  Mary  J. 
Brown,  Mary  L. 
Brown,  Hannah  M. 

1853 
Mathews,  I.  H.,  Mrs. 
Compton,  Emma   (Alfred) 
Brown,  Isaac  M. 
Mundy,  Peter 
Scott,  James 
Crawford,  Margaret 
Wheeler,  Horatio  T. 
Woodbridge,  Mary  (Sam'l  E. ) 
Boeram,  Abigail  A.  (James) 

i854 
Selover,  Cornelia  G. 
Measker,  Joanna  M. 

1855 
Davidson,  Adelia  S.   (John) 
Bloodgood,  Catharine  (Wm. ) 
Bonham,  Mary  L,.  C.  (Lucius) 
Freeman.  Robert 
Freeman,  Susan  (Robert) 
Hadden,  Mary  B. 
Hadden,  Sarah 
Hadden,  Cornelius 
Martin,  Sarah  A.  (Moses) 
Wait,  Mary  Amanda 
Cory,  Julia  M. 
Cory,  Jane  W. 
Cory,  Mary  E. 
Ford,  Jeannette 


Woglom,  Margaret  (Israel) 

Bloodgood,  Elizabeth 

Selover,  Isaac  K. 

Selover,  Margaret  A. 

Selover,  David  V. 

Selover,  Harriet  A.  (David V.) 

Selover,  Elizabeth 

Selover,  Benjamin  C. 

Seaman,  Mary  E. 

Seaman,  Robert 

Wood,  MaryE. 

Wood,  John 

Ford,  Eliza  H. 

Ford,  Sarah  F. 

Selover,  William  U. 

Masker,  William  A. 

Gibson,  Philip 

Gibson,  Margaret 

Hubbard,  Voorhees 

Johnson,  Alida  (Edgar) 

Murray,  Ann 

Tryner,  Geo.  F. 

Hall,   William 

Hall,  Charlotte  ( William ) 

Seaman,   Olivia 

Still  well,  Hannah  E. 

Bloodgood,  Lydia   (Abram) 

Wilson,   Dawson 

Wilson,  Jane  F.  (Dawson) 

Robinson,  James  C. 

Robinson,  Susan  (J as.   C.  ) 

Robinson,  Amanda 

Robinson,  Eleanor  H. 

1856 
Robinson,  Harriet  K. 
Crowell,  Sarah  E.    (Edward) 
Bloodgood,  Josephine 

1857 
Hoey,  Mary  (John) 
Hoey,  Nancy 

Rhinehart,  Eliza  (Abraham) 
Jacobie,  John 
Jacobie,  Mary  (John) 


ADDENDA. 


85 


1858 

Backias,  Anna 

Adams,  Elizabeth  M. 

Adams,  Emily  V. 

Rnss,  Sarah  M.  (George) 

White,  Mary   (Cornelius) 

Ford,  Sarah  R. 

Hadden,  Mary  E.  (Cornelius) 

Zellers,  Samuel 

Dudley,  Julius 

Beauer,  Christian 

Beauer,  Dorothy   ( Christian  ) 

Beauer,  Lena 

1859 
Tyrrell,  Margaret  (Elias) 
Robinson,  Charles  M. 

i860 
Gibson,  Philip 
Selover,  David  V. 

1861 
Lyon,  Margaret  E.    (Jacob) 
Selover,  James  D. 
Selover,  Catharine  (Jas.  D.  ) 
Selover,  Mary  H. 
Wallace,  Mary  S.  (Rev.  C.  C.  ] 
Selover,  Gertrude  E. 
Davidson,  Martha  (James) 
Page,  Jane  H.  (Thomas  D.  ) 
Stevens,  John  W. 
Stevens,  Mary  A.  (John  W. ) 

1862 
Weston,  Elizabeth  C.  (E.  C. ) 
Russ,  Joseph  C. 
Gibson,  Mary  E. 
Gibson,  James  F. 
Gibson,  Sarah  A. 
Palmer,  Joseph  W. 
Palmer,  Nancy  (Joseph  W.) 
Coutts,  Jeannie  Amelia 
Hunter,  Carrie  M.  (Charles) 
Hart,  Henrv  J. 
Hall,  Ella  j'ane 


Myers,  William  D. 

Chester,  Edwin  S. 

Mowry,  Bernard,  R.  O. 

Martin,  Cornelia 

Laforge,  Sarah  A. 

Kline,  Henrietta  A.  (Myndart) 

Russ,  George  H. 

Woodbridge,  Mary  E. 

Harned,  Isaac  S. 

Laforge,  Nathaniel  T. 

Bashford,  Sarah  (David) 

Harris,  Thompson  S. 

Ray,  Elizabeth  S.    (William) 

Crowell,  Sarah  Frances 

Hall,  Agnes  Adelia 

Willis,  Zibiah  H. 

1863 

Webb,  Abby 
Martin,  Nancy 
Garretson,  Cornelia  D. 
Davidson,  James 
Davidson,  Martha 

1864 

Tenbroeck,  Mary 
Laforge,  Henrietta 

1865 

David,  Julia 
Kingsbury,  Mary  A. 
Kingsbury,  Mary 
David,  Caroline 
Dunham,  Elizabeth 
Hull,  Sarah  M. 
Barnes,  Elizabeth  W.  (J.  E. ) 
Hurlburt,  Catharine  R. 
VanDoren,  Abigail 
McCrea,  James  A. 
McCrea,    Jane 
Woodbridge,  Samuel  E. 
Woodbridge,  Luther  D. 
Barnes,  Edward  W. 


86 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


1866 

Hunter,  Mary  I. 
Elliott,  Walter  E. 
Kent,  Mary  E.  (Oscar) 
Williams,  M.  L.  (Joseph) 

1867 

Pugsley,  Henry  D. 

Burns,  Margaret  G.    (Joseph) 

Tice,  Mary  A.  (G.  H.) 

Hanson,  Christian 

Tyrrell,  Eeah  A. 

Tyrrell,  Moses  H. 


Barnes,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Stephen  G. 
Hadden,  Amelia  D.  (Cornelius) 
Burns,  James  W. 


Hall,  Jane 
Hall,  Eliza 
Hall,  Helen 
Griffin,  Eliza 

1870 

Mount,  Amelia  C.  (W.  B. ) 
Peck,  Julia  (Rev.  Aaron) 
Selover,  Ann  (A.  M.  K. ) 
Smith,  Ellen  M. 
Shay,  Elizabeth    (John) 
Manning,  Stelle 
Manning,  Henrietta 
Coddington,  William  R. 
Coddington,  Emma  F. 
Hope,  Emeline 
Ker,  Phebe 

Smith,  M.  D.,  Samuel  St.  J. 
Griffith,  Virginia 
Moore,  Margaret 
Harned,  Ann  (Isaac) 
Walters,  Charles  L,' 


1871 
Manning,  William 
Manning,  Annie  C. 
Stevenson,  Adele  E.  (Rev.  D.) 
Bent,  W.  C. 
Davidson,  Alice  (James) 
Sharrot,  Mary  A. 
Cramer,  Herman  V. 
Baldwin,  H.  (Robert) 

1872 
Whittle,  Alfred  E. 
Hull,  Margaret 
Hughes,  Rachel  F. 
Hall,  Julia  A.  (Samuel) 
Parsels,  Phebe 

1873 
Campbell,  John 
Rhodes,  Hattie  F.  (G.  N. ) 
Whittle,  Sarah  (A.  E.) 

1874 
McQueen,  Mary  H. 
Tice,  George  H. 
Boswell,  Mary  S.  (N.  L.  ) 
Morris,  Sarah 
Morris,  Eydia  J.  (John) 
Wait,  Annie  F. 
Crowell,  Edith  B. 
Tracy,  Mary  W.  (Andrew) 
Schoch,  Louisa 
Seaman,  Frederick  A. 
Seaman,  Anna  M.  (F.  A. ) 
Dayton,  Mary  E.  (Herbert) 
Hall,  William  H. 
Shipman,  Ann  E. 
Kent,  Fannie  E. 
Kent,  Mary  Ella 
Garrison,  Ida  L. 
Pape,  Josephine  (Henry) 
Crowell,  AdeliaH.  (James) 
Thompson,  Caroline  B.  (John  ) 

1875 
Kelley,  F.  J.  B.  (Dr.  E.  B.  P.) 


ADDENDA. 


87 


1876 

Meares,  Henrietta 
Herbert,  Sarah 
Kipp,  Margaret 
Barnes,  Idelette  (E.  W.) 
Slaght,  Sarah    (W.  A.) 
Bnlkley,  Sylvania  (E.  J.) 
Kipp,  Sarah 

1877 
Greacen,  Hester  A. 
Hall,  Mary  A. 

1878 
Van  Home,    Elizabeth  J. 
Thornall,  Isabella  S. 
Best,  Mary  E. 
Young,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  (S.C. 

1879 
Rathbun,  Sarah  M.  (J.  G. ) 
Martin,  Elvira  J. 
Cline,  Eva  K. 
Aeken,  Crowell  L. 
Hadden,  Edward  J. 
Mitchell,    Sarah  B. 
Mitchell,  Bertha  M. 
Watson, Georgia  (John) 
Shay,  Ira  D. 
Moessner,  George  V. 
Moessner,  Kunigunde 
Deitche,  John  J. 
Deitche,  Bella  H. 
Apgar,  David  K. 
Apgar,    Anna  M. 
Apgar,  Theodore  R. 
Apgar,  Melvina  A. 
Moessner,  Louisa  K. 
Brodhead,  Andrew  D. 
Brown,  Lulu  E. 
Dunne,  Jean  M. 
Mills,  George  E. 
Ferguson,  Eliza  B.  (J.  M.) 
Tyrrell,  Mary  E.  (J.  C. ) 
Herbert,  Margaret 
Johnson,  Alice  A. 


Wait,  Bessie  H. 

Govern,    Eliza  B.  (J.  M.) 

Boswell,  Elizabeth  (H.  L.  ) 

Leaser,  Man-  J. 

Barnes,  Henry  R. 

Manning,  Jennie  F. 

Arnold,    Annie  E. 

Cluney,  Jennie 

Afflerbach,  Emma  P.  (Jos.) 

Coleman,  Josephine  W. 

Brodhead,  Margaret  L. 

1880 

Wainwright,MaryE.  (Matthew) 

Vogel,  John  H. 

Vogel,  Anna  M. 

Bain,    Mary  J.  (Hugh  L. ) 

Martin,  Mary  E. 

Leaser,  Ella 

Coyle,  Hannah 

Murray,  Margaret 


Sanford,  Jerusha  (  Elam  ) 
Rathbun,  John  G. 
Todd,    Meaora 
Bentley,  Frances  I.  (W.  B. ) 


Carr,  Emilv  P. 
Thoden,  Julia  S. 

1883 

Compton,  Emma  (J.  L. ) 
Peters,  Samuel  K. 
Hadden,  Nellie  C. 
Druckenmiller,  Franklin  L. 
Druckenmiller.  Anna  N. 
Peters,  Helen  E. 
Hance,  Joseph  S. 
Malcolm,  Mary 
Malcolm,   Alberta 


88 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AM  BOY. 


Ramsay,  Hugh 

Ramsay,  Sarah  J. 

Crowell,  Eunice E.( Alfred) 

Harris,  Sarah  E.  (Rev.  Oscar) 

Murray,  Belle 

Hall,  Phebe  P. 

Thomas,  Sarah  K. 

Mackenzie,  Anna 

Thompson,  Grace  E. 

Truax,  Mary  E.  (Rev.  W. 

B.) 
Welles,  Mary  E. 
Dunning,  Ellen  M. 
Bryant,  Mary 
Barnes,  James  W. 
Morrison,  Ellen  J. 
Henderson,  John 
Henderson,  Mrs.  J. 

1885 
Coons,  Hannah  B. 
Williamson,  Anna  J. 
Mac  William,  Ann 
Chandler,  S.  F. 
Mac  William,  John 

1886 
Savage,  Letitia  W. 
Gray,  Mary  (William) 
McConnell,  Louise  J. 
Morris,  Frank  B. 
Morris,  Mrs. 
Morris,  Emma 
Morris,  Mary 

1887 
Miller,  Mary  (Joseph) 
Mertz,  Ella  (Theodore) 
Craswell,  Amelia  M. 
Hill,  Nellie  C.  (E.  E.) 
Sofield,  Alice  E. 
Mac  William,  Eliza  B. 
Craswell,  Henry 
Thornton,  Mary 
McClymont,  David 


Smith,  Clarinda  C. 
Thornall,  Jennie  (William) 
Transue,  Martha  (Silas) 
English,  Agnes  A. 
Hall,  Lizzie  P.  (Chas.  H.) 
Roe,  Meribah  R. 
Mount,  William  B. 
Hall,  Amelia  A. 
Hall,  Cora  P. 
Hadden,  Addie  (Geo.E.) 
Petty,  Mary  A.  (Henry) 
McClymont,  Margaret 
Van  horn,   John 
Shay,  Elizabeth 
Hoagland,   Isaac 
Hoagland,  Agnes 
Lanson,  Elija 
Martin,  Alice 
Satter,  Hans  P. 
Crisman,  Ella  G. 
Tyrrell,  Nathaniel  H. 
Tyrrell,  Mary  A.  (N.   H. ) 

1888 
Palmer,  Nettie  L. 
Stacey,  Jennie  E.  ( W.  T. ) 
Ford,  Mary  E. 
Jones,  Edith  (Charles) 
Kinney,  Mary  B.    (C.  W.) 
Owens,  John 
Owens,  Catharine 
Monroe,  Mathilda  E. 
Everett,  Caddie  D.    (Dr.  S.  R. ) 
Gregory,  John  H. 
Gregory,  Ella  A. 
Mac  William,  Mary  Emma 
Comings,  Ella  C. 
Comings,  Robert  M. 
Fraser,  Susan  (William) 
Knudson,  Mary  W.    (John) 
Gillis,  Alexander 
Gillis,  Annie 
Lyon,  William 
Lyon,  Ursula 
Lvon,  Ella  S. 


ADDENDA. 


89 


Lyon,  Adrian 

Marbach,  Maggie  L.  (John) 
Will,  Jennie  F.  (Otto) 
Hohnquist,  B.  B.  V. 
Buhrer,   Andrew 
Buhrer,  Mary  A. 
Fraser,  Anna  C. 
Frandsen,  Joanna  K. 

1889 
Ryder,  Inez  E.  (Daniel) 
Walters,  Alice  M. 
Sofield,  Laura  A.  (John) 
Henry,  Emily  A.  (W.  W.) 
Arner,  Oscar 

Comings,  Sarah  (George) 
Slaght,  William  R. 
Douglass,  Jessie  (Frank) 
Satter,  Christina  (Hans  P. ) 
Burns,  Tillie  A.  (Joseph  G. ) 
Sellect,  Ethelbert  H. 
Henry,  John  A. 
Hall,  Ada  (William  H. ) 
Curl,  Nellie  M. 
Buel,  Walter  F. 
Buel,  Arthur 
Stephenson,   Alexander 
Fraser,  C.  Douglas 
LaRoe,   Wilbur 
LaRoe,   Araminta 
Hahn,  William  H. 
Martin,  Jacob  L. 
Martin,   Fannie 


Lacey,  George  H. 
Lacey,  Mary  W. 
Cluuey,  Charles 
Johnson,  Charles 
Woglom,  Laura  A. 
Curry,   Stella 
Field,  Rose  (T.  U.) 
Ramsay,  Isabelle  L. 

1891 
Mount,   Antoinette 
Johnson,  Johanna   (John) 
Johnson,  Emma  L. 
Hadden,  George  E. 
Talbot,  Charles  H. 
Gabriel,  George  P. 
Jyrgensen,  Jeppe 
McComb,  Mary  C.  (William) 
Becker,  Henry  E. 
Becker,   Kate 
Sortore,  Fred  J. 
Martin,  Joseph  J. 
Hoagland,  Louis  M. 
Brose,  Anthony  F. 
Clark,  Sallie  F. 
Fetter,  Margaret  C. 
Grimstead,  Edna  B. 
Grimstead,  Frank 
Grimstead,   Ida 
Phillips,  Maggie  E.  (J.  C.) 
Pape,  Augusta  (Ernest) 
Boughton.  Sarah 
McGregor,  Margaret  E. 


1890 

Rauch,  James  M. 

Seaman, 

Anthony 

Cluney, 

Charles  S. 

1892 

Cluney, 

Lizzie 

Tuttle,  Mary 

Snyder, 

Charles  D. 

Ford,  Herbert 

Pierson, 

Frederick  0. 

Farrington,  Augusta  M 

Pierson, 

Mary  F. 

Fredericksen ,  John 

Ramsay 

,  Oliver  W. 

Fredericksen,  John  Jr. 

Murray, 

Hugh  A. 

Tyrrell,  Van  vert  H. 

Purnell, 

William  R. 

Mac  William,  Charles  M 

Purnell. 

Sarah  K. 

Harper,  Blake 

9o 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


Wait,  Mary  E. 

Lewis,  Mattie  W.  (Cicero) 

Fredericksen,  George 

Schlapper,  Conrad 

Fan\  Hattie  (A.G.) 

Johnson,  Agnes  Stella 

McClymont,  Maggie 

McClymont,  Anna 

Hughes,  Daisy  E-  (Lambert) 

Fraser,  Edwin  G. 

Mallett,  Frederick 

Comings,  Worthington  G. 

Rudder,  Ida  M. 

Owens,  John  C.  B. 

Henry,  William  W. 

Hoagland,  George  K. 

Neer,  Eva  Belle  (Frank) 

Gall,  William 

Lyle,  William  J. 

Everett,  Stacey  R. 

Gray,  William  G. 

Petty,  Henry 

Gardell,  John  M. 

Acken,  Crowell  L. 

Acken,  Mary  E. 

Halpin,  Hattie  P.  (John) 

Rick,  E.  W. 

Rick,  Mrs. 

Waters,  Christina  C. 

Walters,  Carl  Louis 

Richters,  Georgiana  G. 

Conard,  Elsie  (Harry) 

Richters,  Edna 

Oberholtzer,  Henry  L- 

Rice,  Jeannette  L.  (Rev.  W.A. 

Brown,  Evelyn  C. 

Mills,  Richard 

Snyder,  Mrs. 

Snyder,  A.  F. 

Richters,  Percy 

VanNuis,  Amanda  E. 

Parsons,  Lucy  A. 

Proctor,  Edward  R. 


1893 
Christiansen,  Matthias  C. 
Christiansen,  Anna 
Rick  wood,  William 
Rick  wood,   Elizabeth 
Shepherd,  Theresa 
White,  Estelle 
Trueman,  Thomas 
Trueman,  Ellen 
Caspar,  Gideon 
Porter,  Chastina  A. 
Duryea,  Daisy  P. 
Brown,  Nina  M. 
Mullen,  Anna  R.  (A.  W. ) 
David,  Charles  W. 
Herrmann,  Helen  (F.   R.) 
Graham,  Bessie  M.  (Wm.) 
Sofield,  Agnes  B. 
Sofield,  Edith  L. 
Campbell,  Lizzie 
Quick,  Bertha  L- 
Trafton,  Alberta  M.  (George) 
Rodecker,  Mary  M. 
Woodcock,  Julia  S.  (Geo.) 
Gillis,  Clifford 
Dillon,  Henry  A. 
Gillis,  Laura  A. 
Brown,  Sarah  (John) 
Laing,  Annie  M. 
Compton,  Elizabeth 
Hamed,  Margaret  (C.  W.) 
Taylor,  Joseph  F. 
Skillman,  John  C. 
Skillman,  Mary  H. 
Caldicott,  George  E. 
)  Kiehl,  Eliza 
Irving,  Mabel 
Fraser,  Mary  A. 
Hall,  Lillian  E.  (Brewer) 
Graves,  Virginia 
Proctor,  Carlton  W. 
Mc Murray,  William  J. 
Fraser,  Hattie  L. 
O'Brien,   William 


ADDENDA. 


91 


Caldicott,   Clement 
Dunn,  Joanna  M. 

1894 

Herrman,  Frederick  R. 
Smith,  Bella  G.  (H.  Q.) 
VanDusen,  vSarah  O.  (Chas. ) 
Campbell,  William  M. 
VanDyke,  Mary  S.  (Rev.  G.B 
Fritts,  Annie  M. 
Fredericksen,  Peter 
Hall,  Cora  P. 
Wait,  Amanda  M. 
Sortore,  EmmaL.  (Fred) 
Llewellyn  Jeanette  ( Wm. ) 
Hesser,  Charles  H. 
Hesser,  A.  B. 
Hughes,  Margaret  H. 
Lupton  James  W. 
Lupton,  Laura  R. 
Han,  Sam 

1895 
Field,  Thomas  U. 
Hall,  William  G. 
Snedeker,  Charles  D. 
Snecleker,  Mary 
Meshrow,  Alice  ( W.  H. ) 
Stevenson,  Frank  G. 
Stevenson,  Mary  A. 
Mason,   Samuel 
McMurray,  Maria  G.  (W.  J.) 
VanHouten,  William 
VanHouten,  Aletta  L. 
VanHouten,  Fred  S. 
Ramsay,  M.  D.,  William  A. 
Laing,  Rachel  (Reuben) 
Laing,  Raymond  M. 
Tyrrell,  Rose  N.  (Dr.  George) 
Hornbeck,  Bertha 
Lyon,  Cornelia  P.  (Adrian) 
Shull,  Samuel  E. 
Shull,  Laura  C. 
VanHouten,  Emma  J. 


VanHouten,  Marv  L- 
Stirling,  J.  L.  (C.  B. ) 

1896 
Shirley,  Sarah  E.  (D.  A.) 
Burns,  Margaret 
Fredericksen,  John 
Klipp,  Magdalene  (George) 
x  Klipp,  Lilly  M. 
Hoagland,  Charles  P. 
Hancock,  Llewellyn 
Hancock,  Priscilla 
Dwyer,  Maud 
Gibson,  Philip 
Gibson,  Elizabeth  G. 
Henricksen,  Albert  T. 
Snyder,  Phebe  A.  (A.  T. ) 
Gibbons,  Emma 
Stemetz,  Carrie  C. 
Lyle,  William  J. 
Lyle,  Emma  S. 

1897 
Shirley,  Samuel  A. 
Hawk,  Grace 

Bloodgood,  Erne  A.  (Theodore) 
Brainard,  Adeline  (William  A.) 
Crouse,  Laura  (Ira  R.) 
Starr,  Mary  L.  F. 
Rue,  Jane  S. 
Enbody,  Sadie  C.  (Harry  S.) 

1898 
Martin,  William  H. 
Martin,  Marv  G. 
Bechtel,  Martha  (R.  G.) 
Tappen,  Nettie  O.  (A.  J.) 
Stevens,  Charles  K. 
Stevens,  Jessie  M. 
Fredericksen,  Anna  E.  (Peter) 

1899 
Hornbeck,  Mary    E. 
Fredericksen,  Juliet  E.  (John) 
Jensen,  M.  J. 
Hancock,  Lewellvn  Ernest  H. 


92 


PRESBYTERIANISM    IN    PERTH    AMBOY. 


Fraser.    Margaret   (C.  Douglas) 

Smith,  Henry 

Stevenson,  Adele  M.  (Mrs. Rev.) 

Frost,  Mabel  E.   (Robert  E.) 

Worrell,  Florence 

Kirk  wood,  Harry  J. 

1900 

Proctor,  Edward  R. 

Proctor,  Margaret 

Lydiard,  Wilhelmina  (E.  L. ) 

Comings,  Robert  M. 

Deitche,  Ella  M. 

Owens,  Marion 

Crowell,  Edith  H. 

Hoppock,  Minnie  S.  (Peter  A.) 

Kleinhans,  Edgar  H. 

Kleinhans,  Mrs. 

Ramsay,  Ella  F. 

Stacey,  Edith  E. 

Seaman,  Elizabeth 

Comings,  Walter  W. 

Comings,  Harry  Everett 

Compton,  Lola  B. 

Barnes,  Bessie  L. 

Olsen,  Peder,  Jr. 

Thornall,  Isabel  S. 

Straub,  Bertha  (Lee) 

Richard,  Bella  (Fred) 

1901 

Hill,  Ernest  Edward 
Clark,  Edward 
Clark,  Mrs. 
Richard,   Fred 
Hanson,  Florence 
fanning,   Raymond  V. 
LaRoe,  Wilbur,  Jr. 
Smith  John  A. 
Smith,  Mina 


Deitche,   Augustus 
Anderson,  Earnest 
Young,  Alvah  C. 
Young,  Elizabeth 
Straub,  C.  Dee 
Barnekov,  Charles  W. 
Barnekov,  Emma 
Barnes,  Edward  H. 
Hadden,  Amelia  D.  (Cornelius) 
Riddlestorffer,  Sidney 
Riddlestorffer,  Lillie  May 
Cranston,  Irving  L. 
Cranston,  Anna  E. 
Peterson.  Jennie 
Janderup,  Annie 
Lewis,  Rose  E. 
Murdoch,  William 
Murdoch,  Mrs.  G. 
Stafford,  Helen  (Dr.  James) 
Metz,  Catharine  M. 

1902 

Hancock,  Ruth  W. 
Morris,  Carrie 
Hansen,  Christian  C. 
Hansen,  Hans  M.  K. 
Hansen,  Mary  E. 
Osman,  William  F. 
Torberg,  Howard  N. 
Johnson,  Christine 
Hoffman,  Minnie  B. 
Binder,  Harry  J. 
Binder,  Sarah 
Osman,  Laura  (W.  F. ) 
Stainsby,  Helena 
Smith,  Catharine  (HansS.) 
Peets,  Harry  G. 
Petersen,  Andrew  G. 
Petersen,  Josephine 
Petersen,  John  G. 


ERRATA. 


Page  72. — H.  V.  Cramer  for  H.  V.  Creemer. 

Alfred  E.  Whittle  for  Alfred  Wipple. 

Page  73— J-  R-  Shay  for  J.  D.  Shay. 

Page  75. — Mrs.   Elizabeth  W.   Barnes  for  Mrs.  Edward  W. 
Barnes,  Sr. 

Page  83. — Pierson,  Delilah  for  Pierson,  Dellah  (1850) 

Page  86.— Add  (George  A.)  to  Shipman,  Ann  E.  (1874) 


PROGRAM  FOR  THE  FEAST  OF  DEDICATION 

and 

ONE  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATION 
Held  January  25  to  February  if  1903 

SUNDAY,  JANUARY  25. 

10.30  A.    M. 

H)e5ication  of  Cburcb. 

Organ  Prelude 

Doxology 

Invocation  and  Lord's  Prayer 

Gloria 

Responsive  Reading 

Pastor — The  Lord  is  in  His  holy  temple;  let  all  the  earth  keep  silence  before  Him. 

People— From  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the  going  down  of  the  same  the  Lord's  name  is 
to  be  praised. 

Pastor     Return,  O  Lord,  how  long?     And  let  it  repent  Thee,  concerning  Thy  servants. 

People  — O  satisfy  us  early  with  Thy  mercy,  that  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our 
days 

Pastor  — Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  Thou  hast  afflicted  us,  and  the 
years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil. 

People  — Let  Thy  work  appear  unto  Thy  servants,  and  Thy  glory  unto  their  children. 

Pastor  — And  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us;  and  establish  the  work  of 
our  hands  upon  us;  yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish  Thou  it. 

Pastor  and  People  -Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart  be  ac- 
ceptable in  Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength  and  my  Redeemer. 

Hymn— Tune  "Old  Hundred" 

All  the  people  that  on  earth  do  dwell,  Oh,  enter  then  His  gates  with  praise, 
Sing  to  the  Lord  with  cheerful  voice.  Approach  with  joy  His  courts  unto; 

Him  serve  with  mirth,  His  praise   forth  Praise,  laud,  and  bless  His  name  always, 
tell,  For  it  is  seemly  so  to  do. 

Come  ye  before  Him  and  rejoice 

Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  indeed;  Because  the  Lord  our  God  is  good, 
Without  our  aid  He  did  us  make;  His  mercy  is  forever  sure; 

We  are  His  flock,  He  doth  us  feed,  His  truth  at  all  times  firmly  stood, 

And  for  His  sheep  He  doth  us  take  And  shall  from  age  to  age  endure 

Scripture  Reading— i  Kings,  8:  12-30;  9:  1-3;  Rev.  Robert  White 

Anthem     Te  Deum 

Prayer- Rev.  A.  W.  Sproull,  D.D. 

Anthem—"  I  Have  Surely  Built  Thee  an  House  " 

Announcements  and  Offerings 


Hymn — Tune    Xast  Hope 

Lord  of  hosts,  to  Thee  we  raise  Here  to  Thee  a  temple  stand 

Here  a  house  of  prayer  and  praise;  While  the  sea  shall  gird  the  land; 

Thou  Thy  people's  hearts  prepare  Here  reveal  Thy  mercy  sure 

Here  to  meet  for  praise  and  prayer.  While  the  sun  and  moon  endure. 

Hallelujah  !   earth  and  sky 

To  the  joyful  sound  reply; 

Hallelujah  !  hence  ascend 

Prayer  and  praise  till  time  shall  end. 

Sermon  of  Dedication 

Rev.  Henry  Collin  Minton,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 

Pastor  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Trenton,  N    J 

Hymn — Tune  "Cooling" 

Dear  Shepherd  of  thy  people  here!  The  feeling  heart,  the  melting  eye, 
Thy  presence  now  display;  The  humble  mind  bestow; 

As  Thou  hast  given  a  place  for  prayer  And  shine  upon  us  Irom  on  high, 
So  give  us  hearts  to  pray  To  make  our  graces  grow 

Within  these  walls  let  holy  peace  May  we  in  faith  receive  the  word 
And  love  and  concord  dwell;  In  faith  present  our  prayers; 

Here  give  the  troubled  conscience  ease,  And  in  the  presence  of  our  Lord 
The  wounded  spirit  heal  Unbosom  all  our  cares. 

Report  of  Building  Fund— Prof.  S.  E.  Shull, 

Treasurer 

Presentation  of  Keys — Mr.  John  H.  Gregory, 

Chairman  Building  Committee 

Presentation  of  Gifts  -  Mr.  John  J.  Deitche 

Presentation  of  Memorials — Mr.  C.  Douglas  Fraser 

Acceptance  of  Keys,  Gifts  and  Memorials — Mr.  Chas.  D.  Snedeker, 

President  of  Board  of  Trustees 

The  Dedication 

Pastor     Thus  saith  the  Lord,  The  heaven  is  my    throne   and   the  earth    is  my  footstool: 

where  is  the  house  that  ye  build  unto  me  ? 
People     Who  am  I  then,  that  I  should  build    him  an    house,  save   only    to  burn  sacrifice 

before  him  ? 
Pastor     Except  the  Lord  build  the  house  they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it 
People  •  We  are  laborers  together  with  God 
Pastor     But  who  am  I,  and  what  is  my  people,  that  we  should  be  able  to  offer  so  willing 

ly  after  this  sort? 
People     For  all  things  come  of  Thee,  and  of  Thine  own  have  we  given  Thee 
PASTOR — This  is  the  word  of  the    Lord    unto    Zerrubbabel,    saying,  Not  by  might,  nor  by 

power,  but  by  my  Spirit. 
People— The  hands  of  Zerubbabel  have  laid  the    foundation  of  this  house;  his  hands  shall 

also  finish  it. 
Pastor     The  glory  of  this  latter  house  shall  be    greater  than  of  the  former,  saith  the  Lord 

of  Hosts 
People  — And  in  this  place  will  I  givt  peace,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 
Pastor— Hear  Thou  in  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place   and    forgive  and  do,  and  render  unto 

every  man  according  to  all  his  ways,  whose  heart  Thou  knowest 


People — Moreover,  concerning  the  stranger,  that  is  not  of  Thy  people  Israel,  when  he 
shall  come  and  pray  towards  this  house,  hear  Thou  in  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place, 
and  do  according  to  all  that  the  stranger  calleth  to  Thee  for 

Pastor  -  Arise,  O  Lord,  into  Thy  rest;  thou  and  the  ark  of  Thy  strength. 

People     Let  Thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness;  and  let    Thy  saints  shout  for  joy. 

Pastor     Let  Thy  work  appear  unto  Thy  servants,  and  Thy  glory  unto  their  children 

People  And  establish  Thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us;  yea,  the  work  of  our  hands 
establish  Thou  it. 

Pastor — That  all  the  peoples  of  the  earth  may  know  Thy  name,  to  fear  Thee,  and  that 
they  may  know  that  this  house  which  we  have  built  is  called  by  Thy  Name 

Pastor  and  People — To  God,  the  Father,  to  Jesus  Christ,  His  Son,  Our  Saviour,  and  to 
the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter, 

WE  DEDICATE  THIS  CHURCH. 

Pastor — For  the  worship  of  God,  the  confession  of  sin,  and  prayer  for  pardoning  grace; 
for  the  proclamation  of  the  Glad  Tidings  of  Salvation  in  Christ  Jesus,  for  instruction 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  for  the  administration  of  the  ordinances  of  Baptism  and 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  for  the  ingathering  of  souls  into  the  communion  of  God's 
people, 

People— WE  DEDICATE  THIS  CHURCH. 

Pastor — For  the  guiding  of  the  young  into  the  ways   of   holiness,  for  the  strengthening  of 
the  weak,  for  the  comforting  of  the    mourners,    for    the    uplifting    of    those    who    are 
bowed  down,  for  the  Christian  observance  of   the    Lord's  Day.  tor  the  development  of 
the  missionary  spirit,  for  the  giving   of  our  substance    as    God    prospers  us.  for  the  in 
culcation  of  the  principles  of  patriotism,  and  of  truth,  and  of  righteousness, 

People— WE  DEDICATE  THIS  CHURCH. 

Pastor — For  our  use  and  the  use  of  generations  to  come  in  all  ways  that  shall  contribute 
to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  man, 

Pastor  and  People— WE  DEDICATE  THE  CHURCH. 

Declaration — By  Pastor  and  People 

Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  to  Thee,  the  only  living  and  true 
God,  we  now  solemnly  dedicate  this  building  erected  under  Thy  gracious 
guidance.  We  dedicate  it  to  Thee  for  Thy  most  holy  worship,  for  the  serv- 
ices of  Thy  blessed  Son,  and  for  the  proclamation  of  His  glorious  gospel  of 
the  Kingdom  of  Truth  We  dedicate  it  to  Thee  that  by  Thee  it  may  be 
owned  and  honored  in  fulfilling  Thy  people's  prayer  that  Thy  kingdom  come, 
and  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven  For  Thine  is  the  kingdom, 
and  the  power,  and  the  glory  forever      Amen. 

Prayer  of  Dedication     Rev.  Robert  F.  Sample,  D.  D, 
Hymn — Tune  "Hebron" 

O  God  the  father,  Christ  the  Son,  May  Jesus  here    that    power    display 

And  Holy  Spirit,  Three  in  One,  Which  changes  darkness  into  day, 

Accept  this  gift  our  hearts  have  sought,  Ami  open  wide  those  yates  of  love 

Our    hands      in     Christian    love    have  That  lead  to  blessedness  above, 
brought. 

Here  may  the  light  of  gospel  truth  O  Jesus  Christ,  our  sovereign  Lord, 

Illumine  age    enlighten  youth;  By  angels  and  by  saints  adored, 

In  many  hearts  that  grace  begin,  Accept  this  tribute  of  our  praise 

Which  saves  from  sorrow    and  trom  sin.  And  with  Thy  glory  rill  this  place. 

Benediction 


afternoon  Service 

AT   3    O'CLOCK. 

Mr.  Edward  W.   Barnes, 

Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School,  presiding 
Singing  -  "Onward,  Christian  Soldiers" 
Scripture  Reading — John  J.  Deitche 
Singing — "Come,  Thou  Almighty  King" 
Prayer — Adrian  Lyon 
Singing — "Trust  and  Obey" 
Offerings 

Singing — "Encamped  Along  the  Hills" 

Address — "The  Power  of  Small  Things"      General  O.  O.  Howard 
Singing — "All  Hail  the  Power  of  Jesus'  Name" 
Benediction 

£r*    t2?*    *&* 

Evening  Service 

AT    7  30    O'CLOCK. 

Organ 

Anthem — "Praise  the  Lord,    O  My  Soul." 

The  united  choirs  of  the  Baptist,    Methodist    and    Presby- 
terian Churches 

Scripture  Reading 

Hymn  129—  "I  Love  Thy  Kingdom,  Lord" 

Prayer — Rev.  Edward  B.  French 

Solo— "Open  the  Gates  of  the    Temple,"  Mr.  F.  R.  Conklin 

Offerings 

Hymn  130 — "The  Church's  One  Foundation" 

Greetings  From  Our  Sister  Churches — 

Simpson  M.  E.  Church,  Rev.  S.  Trevena  Jackson,  Ph.  D. 
Baptist   Church,  Rev.    Percy  R.   Ferris 

Solo — "Hear  My  Prayer,"  Mrs.  R.  W.  Macan 

Greetings  from  Our  Sister  Churches — 

Danish  M.   E.    Church,  Rev.  Andrew  Hansen 

Swedish  Congregational  Church,  Rev.  Theodore  Englund 

Hymn  131 — "Glorious  Things  of  Thee  Are  Spoken" 


Greetings  from  tbe  presbpten?  of  Elisabeth. 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  26. 

AT  7.45   P.    M. 

Organ 

Hymn  144 — "How  Beauteous  are  the  Feet" 

Scripture  Reading  and  Prayer — Rev.  I.  A.  Blauvelt,  D.D.,  Roselle 

Anthem — Church  Choir 

Offerings 

Addresses — 

Rev.  John  T.  Reeve,  Basking  Ridge,  Moderator  of  Presbytery 
Rev.  Joseph  M.  McNulty,  D.  D.,   Woodbridge 
Rev.  James  G.  Mason,  D.D.,  Metuchen 

Hymn  170 — "O  Still  in  Accents  Sweet  and  Strong" 

Addresses — 

Rev,  Eben  B.  Cobb,  D.D.,  Elizabeth 
Rev.  George  H.  Payson,  D.D.,  Rahway 
Rev.  George  F.  Greene,  D.D.,  Cranford 

Hymn  145 — "Soldiers  of  Christ  Arise" 

e^*    «^*    t&* 

fIDisstons. 

TUESDAY,  JANUARY  27. 

AT  3.30  P.    M. 

Somen's  /iDeetino. 

Devotional  Services — Conducted  by  Mrs.  J.  H.  Owens 

Duet — Mrs.  Wilbur  LaRoe  and  Mrs.  James   Chalmers 

Address — "Home  Missions,"  Miss  Julia  Fraser 

Address — "Foreign  Missions,"  Mrs.  Wellington  White 

Vocal    Solo — "O    Love    Divine," Holden 

Mrs.  WiLBUk  LaRoe 

Collection 


Evening  Service 

AT  7.45  O'CLOCK. 

Organ 

Anthem — "The  Lord    is    My   Shepherd"  .          .          .         Schubert 

Carol  Club 
Scripture  Reading 

Hymn  191 — "Jesus  Shall  Reign  Where'er  the  Sun" 

Prayer — Rev.  George  Buckle,  Elizabeth 

Anthem -"Hark,  Hark  My  Soul," Smart 

Carol  Club 

Offerings  for  Missions 

Hymn  366 — "God  Bless   Our  Native   Land" 

Address — "Mormonism,"  Rev.  S.  E.  Wishard,  D.  D.,   Utah 

Anthem — "Evening  Peace,"  ....  A.bt 

Carol  Club 

Address — "Foreign  Missions,"  Mr.  David  McConaughy, 

New  York  City 

Hymn  185 — "From  Greenland's  Icy  Mountains" 

*£T*       1&*       *£?* 

©ur  ipouna  people. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  28. 

AT  7.30   P.   M. 

Wilbur  LaRoe, 

President  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  presiding 

A  Song  Service  for   15  Minutes 

Hymn   -"Countless  Mercies,"  Choir 

Scripture  Reading 

Hymn  9 — "Open  Wide  the  Door" 

Prayer— Rev.  R.  J.  Dick,  South  Amboy 

Vocal  Solo — "I  Heard  the  Voice  of  Jesus  Say,"  .  .  Rathbun 

Mrs    Wilbur  LaRoe 
Offerings 

Hymn  75— "When  the  King  Shall  Come" 

Address— Rev.  Wayland  Hoyt,  D.D.,  Philadelphia. 

Hymn  112 — "Loyalty  to  Christ" 


Evangelism  ai^  tbe  press. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  29. 

AT  7.4-5    P.    M. 

Organ 

Hymn  I7J — "Work  for  the  Night  is  Coming" 

Scripture  Reading  and  Prayer — Rev.  S.  H.  Thompson,  D.D.,  Red  Bank 

Anthem — "It  is  a  Good  Thing  to  Give   Thanks" 

Address — "The  Religious  Press,"  Rev.    John    Bancroft   Devins,    D.D., 
New  York  City 

Hymn  368— "My  Country  'Tis  of  Thee" 

Address — "Evangelical  Work,"  Rev.  John  F.  Carson,  D.D.,  Brooklyn 

Hymn  247  -  "Am  I  a  Soldier  of  the  Cross" 

^3*    «<?*    t2r* 

Keunton. 

FRIDAY,  JANUARY  30. 

AT  3.30   P    M. 

Organ 

Hymn  264— "The  Lord's  My  Shepherd" 

Reading  90th  Psalm  in  Concert 

Prayer — Elder  Caleb  C.  Pierson, 

A  member  of  this  church  for  fifty  three  years  and  an  elder  for  forty -seven  years 

Address  of  Welcome — Elder  Edward  W.  Barnes 

Hymn  271 — "How  Firm  a  Foundation" 

Addresses  from  Former  Elders  and  Trustees 

Hymn  279— "God  is  the  Refuge  of  His  Saints" 


Evening  Service 

AT   7.45  O'CLOCK. 

Organ — George  O.  Martine,  Nyack 
Hymn  195—  "Blest  Be  the  Tie  that  Binds" 
Scripture  Reading — Rev.  J.  H.  Owens 
Prayer — Rev.  James  A.  Little,  D.  D. 
Singing — "The  Recessional,"  Male  Quartette 
Offerings 
Addresses 

Rev.  W.  W.  Conner,  Belleville 

Great  grandson- in-law  of  Peter  Stryker,  pastor  1809 
Rev.  James  A.  Little,  D.  D.,  Hokendauqua,  Pa. 

Pastor  1864— 1868 
Rev.  James  H.  Owens,  Paterson 
Pastor  1886     1894 

Anthem — "Trust  in  the  Lord,"  Male  Quartette 

Addresses 

Rev.  George  B.  Van  Dyke,  Lowville,  N.  Y. 

Pastor  1894 — 1898 
Rev.  W.  A.  Rice,  D.  D.,  New  York  City 
Rev.  Henry  Ketcham,  Westfield 

Singing — "Auld  Lang  Syne,"  Male  Quartette 

Response  to  Greetings — Elder  Adrian  Lyon. 

Hymn  370— "God  Be  with  You  till  We  Meet  Again" 

Our  other  guests  will  be  .   . 
Mrs.  Alfred  Whitman 

granddaughter  of  Rev  J.  B.  Andrews,  M    D  ,  pastor  1816 — 1822 
Mrs.  I.  C.  Kiggins,  Elizabeth 

daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Cory,  pastor  1835 — 1860 
Mrs.  Julia  Peck  and  Miss  Peck 

widow  and  daughter  of  Rev    Aaron  Peck,  pastor  1869 — 1877 
Mrs.  Adele  M.  Stevenson 

widow  Rev    David  Stevenson,  D    D.,  pastor  1880 — 1884 

Letters  of  Greeting  from 

Rev.  J.  A.  Riggs,  D.  D.,  East  Orange 

grandson  of  Rev.  Elias  Riggs,  the  first  minister. 

Mrs.  Mary  B.  Wallace 

widow  of  Rev.  C    C    Wallace,  U    D.,  pastor  i860 — 1863 
Rev.  Norman  W.  Cary 
Rev.  S.  C.  Hay,  Woodstock,  111. 
Rev.  Stephen  G.  Barnes,  D.  D. 
Miss  Emma  Morris 


